The Hobart Magazine Issue 21 April 2021 by Propel Studio

THE HOBART MAGAZINE / APRIL 2021: ISSUE 21

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HOBART LOCAL NEWS TREK THE THREE CAPES TRACK WHAT’S ON IN HOBART THIS AUTUMN WWW.THEHOBARTMAGAZINE.COM.AU

DINING OUT: THAI WORTH A TRY

LIZZIE STOKELY BRUNY’S BIG WAVE SURFER TAKES ON CAPE FEAR

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Showcasing flawless attention to detail, every inch of these remarkable residences have been expertly designed to offer the finest in modern living. Whether you’re on the hunt for that picture-perfect downsizer or a lock-and-leave property in an unbeatable location, these apartments are a must-see. The development of these four spectacular threebedroom/two-bathroom residences have been designed to take full advantage of the sloping block with each apartment offering an uninterrupted outlook, added privacy and seamless indoor-outdoor living. High-end features and finishes are on show throughout from the gourmet chef’s kitchens with premium appliances and sweeping stone benchtops to the floorto-ceiling glass, stone tiles and luxe fixtures. Elevator access is available to apartments three and four, plus there’s covered parking and a host of must-have inclusions throughout. Nestled between Battery Point and Sandy Bay, a gentle stroll from these magnificent apartments will take you to cafes, restaurants and boutique shops along with renowned schools and RESIDENTIAL Marieville Esplanade. PROJECT

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Editorial Stephanie Williams (Publisher) editor@thehobartmagazine.com.au Zilla Gordon Advertising James Marten advertise@thehobartmagazine.com.au 0405 424 449 Contributors: Beau Leighton, Zoe Lovell, Annia Baron, Sarah Aitken, Peter Carey, Amanda Double, David Daniels OAM, Maenka Arora. Cover image: Supplied. Circulation: 35,000 copies are distributed each month, dropped to our network of over 300 cafes and public places across Hobart, at Hill Street Grocer, and delivered to inner city homes. Publisher Information: While all care has been taken, some information may have changed since publication. The Hobart Magazine regrets it can’t accept liabilities from errors or omissions contained in this magazine. The publisher reserves the right to refuse, withdraw or amend all advertisements without explanation. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is prohibited. The views expressed in articles and advertisements are not endorsed by the editor or publishers. We welcome any questions or feedback, email editor@thehobartmagazine.com.au.

WELCOME TO

THE HOBART MAGAZINE We’re now in the thick of autumn, with leaves turning and days getting shorter. From later this month it’s the perfect time for a day trip to Mt Field to witness the turning of the fagus, or further to Cradle Mountain to make a weekend of it. While autumn might not feel like a natural time to surf in Tassie, Bruny Island resident Lizzie Stokely has to be on her surfing a-game. She’s been on standby for a call from Red Bull, with just 48 hours notice to get her butt to Shipstern Bluff once the Cape Fear comp opens, where Lizzie will compete against some of the world’s best big wave riders. This month we also chat with farmer (and ex-A Current Affair journo) Stephanie Trethewey, who shares her story of Tas Ag Co and their focus on regenerative farming, alongside her podcast for rural women. We also delve into sourcing ethical firewood, explore some of the old batteries around Hobart, try a Thai joint in Moonah and take a trip along the Three Capes Track. Don’t forget to vote on 1 May. Every single vote counts. Cheers Steph, James and The Hobart Magazine team

Riding on the east coast with The Hazards in the dust. Pic: Rob Burnett, Tourism Tasmania. 3

light and spend well. Most are mature, well resourced and well organised. A couple on a motorcycle travels light and spends more than a couple in a car or van. Damien Codognotto OAM, The Motorcycle Riders Association Australia Aww, shucks Hi Steph & team, Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your magazine - the local content is fantastic, the interviews are really interesting and varied - keep up the great work! Moya

Letters to the Editor Parking hits a nerve Dear Editor, I, for one, refuse to pay to park. Costs and taxes associated with owning a vehicle are high enough already without having to pay to park them. I refuse to be conscripted to stand in the queue in all kinds of weather at the badly designed meters discussing with countless others how the bloody things work or don’t. Since the demise of access to Hobart stores without the need to pay for parking, I have elected not to shop there as have many others I know. If alienating customers from the shopping area is the goal, then the council have well and truly succeeded, which is proved by the number of empty or closed shops. The only way to enjoy shopping in Hobart in a leisurely stress free way, is to catch public transport and thumb your nose at the parking natzies, who feed on the misfortunes of tardy or elderly slow shoppers. As a weekly diner in the CBD and surrounds, I find it unbelievably stupid and short sighted of councils, to shoot the geese who lay the golden eggs, i.e. restaurants who are trying to make a living by serving meals to their customers, with ridiculous limited parking which renders the diner unable to eat a meal without an entree of running out to feed a meter, or 4

even worse dining so late as being unpalatable. Surely the more people spending money is the best outcome for everyone. Also a most worthwhile tourist and local attraction, the State Cinema, surrounded by quarter, one hour and two hour parking limits is ridiculous, given that most movies are longer, which also prohibits any additional time for eating, shopping or socialising. Travel the world and see that the most successful cities run on public transport. If it’s free, the council saves a fortune in road/parking construction and maintenance and the shops thrive. We all know the parking meters are a money making stunt. Margaret Kinsela, Howrah Motorbikes on the up Dear Ms Williams. Across Australia new car sales are down and while new and secondhand motorcycle and scooter sales continue to steadily rise. Students, commuters and job seekers are choosing two wheels over four to save time, money and stress. This is good for Hobart traffic and parking. More holiday makers, both local and from the mainland, are touring on motorcycles. Hobart offers events and activities that are attractive to riders. Wilderness flights and tours on water to name a couple. Motorcyclists are good tourists. They travel

Plaudits for our Grace Thank you Grace. You show remarkable courage in speaking up for all victims of sexual abuse. You are also well spoken and a true representation of all the courageous Australian women out there facing dangers that are not widely spoken about. You also show amazing resilience as a spokesperson for these issues. I, for one, have shared my own story of what growing up in Australia as a male means. And although slightly ashamed of myself at points. The worst of my behavior was caught up in drug abuse that I suffered as a consequence of being a sexual abuse survivor. The blatant macho-ism of many Australian males is a disgrace to this country. When will Australian men learn to show their sensitive side as well as their brute force? I believe that as an Australian man you have to be in equal parts sensitive and also man enough to deal with the pressures of the harsh conditions that Australians face. Only through displaying equal parts our sensitive side and our rough nature can the Australian male ever learn to progress and come to terms with his true identity. I have used my own self-publishing platform to tell my story and I believe everyone should have the ability to tell their story and be heard. Not necessarily in the same respect as the Australian of the Year, however heard by someone or some party. Keep up the great work. A reader, via our website

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LOCAL LADY

Natalie Venettacci Interview: Zilla Gordon Natalie Venettacci is an actor and teacher who is about to direct her first play. Where in Hobart do you live? New Town. What’s the best thing about Hobart? Being able to get to your friends and family in a heartbeat. And the worst? The lack of affordable housing. Tell us a little about your work? I am an actor, director and teacher. At the moment, I am the drama teacher at Claremont College and I love it! You’re currently directing Medusa Waking, could you tell me a little bit about that process? Medusa Waking is a wonderful story written by Hobart playwright Emma Skalicky and I’m so excited to share it with Hobart. It is a story about the survival of trauma and stars some of Tasmania’s finest actors. We have created a very lovely and safe space in the rehearsal room where we build the blocking of a scene through the actors’ objectives and their natural instinct. The challenge that I’m finding is trying to not get into my head. Although I have been in the theatre world for many years as an actor, it’s the first show I have directed and I’m really nervous. I hope that I do the story and the characters justice. I’m also working very closely with Emma in the rehearsal room where I can ask her any questions about the script. She has been a great voice in the room and I feel very lucky to have her there. It’s on at the Peacock Theatre from the 14th – 22nd May. Could you tell me a little bit about the Hobart theatre world? The theatre world is strong, bold and creative. I think it’s important to know that good theatre in Hobart isn’t just seen within the professional companies, it’s also very much alive in community theatre. Unfortunately, there is just too little funding to put all the bells and whistles into it. You lived in Sydney - what was it like moving back to Hobart? I moved to Sydney when I got accepted into Actors Centre Australia and, from day one, I really did not enjoy my time living there. There was a lot of drama (no pun intended) that came with working in the industry in Sydney and it just wasn’t making me happy. I saw a lot of my friends moving back home and creating theatre and I was like ‘I need to go back, now is the time!’ So after six years of living there, I packed up and moved back and I haven’t left since. I adore Hobart, I love that I can wake up in the morning and see kunanyi and breathe clean air. How do you think your role as a teacher shapes younger actors? I am giving my students the foundations they need to get 6

them into drama schools across Australia and have the essential skills to work in the industry with no drama school behind them. My students are incredibly talented and are bold and courageous at using their instinct to build characters; I’m just there to push them to their best abilities. I show care and respect in the classroom, this shapes students to become empathetic learners; a valuable tool to have as an actor. It’s a wonderful feeling when you see your students gain control of their acting skills by the end of the school year and knowing that what you are teaching is accurate in developing student’s drama knowledge and skills. What’s your dream project to work on? I would love to work for the Sydney Theatre Company on any production, but probably something written by Kate Mulvaney. I’m inspired by... My students. They remind me every day how to treat others and what makes a good performer. What do you love doing outside work? Spending time and eating lots of food with my partner Rob. Where’s your favourite Hobart eatery? The Winston. Drink of choice and where do you head for it? I love a simple Belvedere Vodka and soda. Favourite team? Collingwood – please don’t hate me. I’d like to travel to... South Korea. Quote to live by? My mate in high school said that her mum would always say ‘just one step at a time’ and I like that and remind myself of that when I get overwhelmed with life.

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LOCAL LAD

Blair Ashwood Interview: Zilla Gordon Picture: Kishka Jensen Blair Ashwood is a professional dancer and dance teacher from Bellerive. Where in Hobart do you live? I’m currently living on Alexandra Esplanade in Bellerive. It’s a great location and right on the beach. What’s the best thing about Hobart? The best things about Hobart are the people and the lifestyle. Being able to plan a trip up the east coast that only takes two hours to drive to you feel like you’re on a holiday in a different country. And the worst thing? I wouldn’t really say there’s a bad thing about Hobart but sometimes because Hobart is small, it’s more likely that people know your business. But that’s not always a bad thing. Tell us a little about your work? I’m a professional dancer and dance teacher but also working as a fitness instructor. I’m currently working and teaching at Jenina’s Dance Workshop and as an F45 training, located across Tasmania. My dancing has taken me across the world touring throughout Japan, China and the US. I’ve been lucky enough to work with some big industry leading choreographers and famous celebrities. How did you get into dancing? I started dancing at the age of nine at a small school in New Norfolk. After discovering that dancing was a massive passion of mine, I started to take things more seriously. From the age of 13 to 18, I was dancing around 18-24 hours a week. This was also on top of schooling and living 30 minutes away from where I was dancing. I moved to Sydney when I was 18 to complete my full-time year and straight after graduation I left Australia on my first professional contract in America. What’s been one of your dance highlights? My biggest dancing highlight was working on The Late Show with David Letterman and Ben Stiller. This was something that completely changed my life and opened up many amazing opportunities. I was working as a dancer on the Ringling Brothers and Barnum Bailey Circus, touring across the country by train. Performing in sold-out arena shows and meeting celebrities such as Neil Patrick Harris, Alicia Keys and the cast of Grey’s Anatomy. Something that I will be forever thankful for. Did you ever face any criticism as a male dancer? Do you feel that stereotypes are changing? When I was growing up I knew I was different. My brother was a very outdoors and active kid always played football and cricket but that never interested me. I would always dress up and put on small production shows for 8

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my family friends. I’ve always loved music and the thought of being on stage. I was bullied throughout my schooling years for being gay and dancing. It was a difficult time in my life but at the same time I was extremely lucky to have a supportive family and dancing. Nearly 10 years on and I believe we have made incredible progress. And you teach as well, what’s that like to be able to build younger dancers? Teaching children how to dance is one of the most rewarding things in my life. Being able to watch someone grow and achieve, not only as a dancer, but also a human is the most beautiful thing. You also work as a personal trainer - do you think that helps your dancing? I started working in the fitness industry two years ago. This was something I never had planned. After my last dancing contract in Japan, I found a new love for the gym. When I was younger I would always be so scared to ever try something like the gym. I always found it was only meant for people who had big arms and a six-pack. When I started working for F45 this all changed. Painting a picture of someone and what they are meant to look like, and what they should be doing is so silly. Everyone is different and no one looks the same stereotypes are stupid. What’s your favourite Hobart eatery? My favourite place to eat is Criterion Cafe, on Criterion Street. It always has a great vibe and the food and coffee is amazing. Definitely check it out if you haven’t already! Drink of choice and where do you head for it? My drink of choice would be a nice glass of red wine or a vodka, soda and lime. It all just depends on the mood and setting. The Den never disappoints! Guilty pleasure? Salt and vinegar chips ha ha ha. What do you never leave home without? My chapstick. Can’t have dried lips. Quote to live by? You are born with nothing and you will die with nothing.

BITS AND PIECES

TAS ROCKS ‘N ROLL Bird watching not quite your thing? Maybe it’s time to go rock spotting. Started in 2017, TasRocks is a state-wide game that allows people to hide-and-seek painted rocks in their local communities and has grown to be a social media phenomenon across the country. To participate, paint your rocks (no glass or ceramics) however you like, but keep the local wildlife in mind, so no string or pipe-cleaners, and hide them for others to find. How do you know you’ve found a Tas Rocks’ rock? Look on the underside of the rock for the group’s Facebook details. If you’re keen to participate, you’ll want to jump onto their Facebook page, Tas Rocks Group, to get the full low-down on how to decorate, drop, search and share your rock-hunting adventures. DERWENT FERRY TRIAL GETS THE GREEN LIGHT It’s all systems go for the Derwent River ferry trial, linking Hobart with Bellerive, offering commuters an alternative to sitting in traffic on the bridge. The Government has appointed private operator Roche Brothers to operate the weekday-only service. One way is expected to take between 20 to 25 minutes (still enough time to listen to The Hobart Magazine podcast of course) and the trial will be free to commuters who have a Metro Tasmania Greencard or are travelling with a bicycle. 10

TMAG SCHOOL HOLIDAYS TMAG has got you covered this school holidays with an awesome line up of free activities, from learning about soil to meeting a snake, and from rescuing a whale to launching a rocket. There’s something for all young people to enjoy at Lift Off! This year’s festival also includes two special ticketed events, TMAG Up Late – an after dark event at the museum for 10 to 16 year olds and RETREAT, an amazing performance experience by festival artists-in-residence Erth Visual and Physical Inc. Tickets for these events and the full Lift Off! program are available at www.tmag.tas.gov.au SOUTHERN WINEMAKERS NAMED IN TOP 50 Four young Tasmanian winemakers were recently awarded Top 50 status in the Young Guns of Wine awards. This year marks the 15th annual edition and lists young wine labels and winemakers on the rise. Tassie’s finest include Max Marriott, of Anim who handpicks his grapes from southern vineyards, Luke Monks from Made by Monks who creates his wines in Hobart from grapes sourced around Tassie, Marco Lubiana who makes Chardonnay and Pinot Noir under his own name, Marco Lubiana, and Greer Carland of Quiet Mutiny, with a focus on tiny batches and sustainability. Grab a bottle and taste why these youngins earned their place on the list. WE NEED WALKERS! Are you looking for a bit of extra cash? Want to exercise and work at the same time? We’re on the lookout for trustworthy people to help us deliver our magazines across Hobart. Perhaps you’re an older person wanting to get out and about? Or a parent who is walking kids to sleep anyway. Or you just want to pick up some extra cash. Whatever your motivation, send your CV to advertise@thehobartmagazine. com.au or call James on 0405 424 449 for a chat.

THUMBS UP Kudos to the women and men taking a brave step and using their voice to speak up and out about sexual abuse. The epic new $5million playground at Kingston has opened with the tick of approval from the crowds of kids that have been packing in since the start of the school holidays.

The new Kingston Playground.

THUMBS DOWN UNESCO advisory body, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), recently escalated the Great Barrier Reef’s rating from “significant concern” to “critical”. Climate change is now the number one threat to the World Heritage area. Elective surgery waiting lists still remain long. Let’s hope the election promises flying about come to fruition. Did we really need an early election? A face mask was found floating in the waters off Lord Howe Island. Just put ‘em in the bin.

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NEWS FROM YOUR COMMUNITY

LAST DAYS AT ROSNY GOLF COURSE Rosny Golf recently communicated with its members and patrons that they will cease operations at the Rosny Golf Course at the end of this month - after operating since 1916. In a statement they said, “In light of Council’s decision last year not to renew the Rosny Golf Course lease with the vision to repurpose the area to community open space (as part of the City Heart Project), Rosny Golf Course will cease operations on the 24th of April.” But there’s a good send off in the works. Get along to the course on Saturday 24 April, the last trading day, for a Gold Coin BBQ throughout the day, for patrons after their last round of golf. They also shared, “The YMCA has been honoured to have managed Royal Rosny for these past 10 years on behalf of Clarence Council. We look forward to seeing how the use of the area evolves in coming years as the wider community engages with the area.” Watch this space. THERE IS SUCH THING AS A NOBUCKS LUNCH At a time when incomes and morale might be lower, anyone can head to the Wesley Hall (56-58 Melville Street, Hobart.) for a ‘no strings attached’ lunch each weekday from 12pm - 2pm. The meal is there for anyone, especially disadvantaged people who 12

might be having difficulty providing a meal for themselves. Along with lunch, there’s lovely hospitality, fellowship and friendship. Lunch is supported by Foodbank and Second Bite, but donations are always welcome. All you have to do is turn up. UTAS CONTRIBUTION TO FUND MIDTOWN UPGRADE The proposed first stage of the Midtown streetscape upgrade will be partly funded by the University of Tasmania (UTas) under an agreement to provide financial contributions towards city infrastructure. The announcement follows the signing in December 2019 of a 10-year Heads of Agreement, through which the University will pay the equivalent of rates on its CBD sites and additional voluntary infrastructure contributions. Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said UTas had shown a commitment to the Hobart community by voluntarily contributing funds to public infrastructure. “UTas is investing in the future of the CBD. The University’s voluntary contributions will help us to create more attractive city streets. It’s a win-win for residents and visitors to Hobart, as well as UTas staff and students,” Cr Reynolds said. “We hope this collaborative approach to investing in public infrastructure sets a precedent for future developments in the CBD.” Through the payment of rates equivalency and voluntary developer contributions, UTas will spring a total $1 million over the next two financial years towards the upgrading of Block 1, between Melville and Brisbane streets. “We’re currently trialling

extended footpaths for outdoor dining and an uphill bicycle lane along that block. These will be monitored and assessed over the course of this year and the outcomes will contribute to the final design,” Cr Reynolds said. ANZAC HISTORY ROLLS ON DESPITE COVID With Anzac Day coming up, attention turns to Australia’s past and ongoing role in war and peacekeeping. In 1915 recruiting committees were formed in nearly every town across Australia, including Hobart. They were started in NSW’s central west and the newly enlisted men soon headed off to Sydney. Known as the Coo-ee March, by the time they reached Sydney, they’d

gathered nearly 300 recruits. The poster below from World War One, organised by the Tasmanian State Recruiting Committee, recruited men with the tempting salary of five shillings per day for the rank of Private. There was also a special disabilities pension for the loss of a limb, or eye which were “payable and permanent, no matter what may be the man’s earnings”. Details of the Hobart Anzac March are still evolving due to COVID. For details, it’s best to head to the RSL TAS website. You’ll also have the opportunity to learn more about Australia’s war history with the Kingston Library running sessions looking at the National Archives. You can book a spot via their website.

BITS AND PIECES NEW OPENINGS If you’re after a late night sushi option, you’re in luck with Samurai Knights (1 Franklin Wharf) serving late-night sake flights and snacks Monday to Sunday - and we mean late - they open from 9.00pm. The Black Footed Pig will reopen in its new waterside location at MACq 01 Hotel (18 Hunter Street, Hobart) catering for all our tapas cravings. They also have a walk-in only bar, where you can enjoy some tapas and a vino without a reservation. You might remember chef Toby Cannon from the cracking Kraken Fish and Chips in North Hobart. He is now head chef at Barilla Bay Oysters (1388 Tasman Highway, Cambridge), serving up fabulous seafood fare, including traditional English fish and chips. Isaan Thai and Lao (6 Salamanca Square, Battery Point) has opened in Salamanca, serving authentic street food from Thailand and Laos.The epic new $5million Kingtson Playground has opened with the tick of approval from the crowds of kids that have been packing in since the start of the school holidays.

ELECTION HEALTH PROMISES NEED ACCOUNTABILITY With election promises of reducing surgery waiting lists and (finally!) throwing money at the Tasmanian health system, some industry leaders remain skeptical about the fix. The Australian Medical Association (AMA) Tasmania is calling for a guarantee from all political parties that any promised increased funding into elective surgery will increase elective surgery capacity and be built into the long-term health budget. And while increased funding to employ additional staff is also welcomed, AMA Tasmania President, Dr Helen McArdle says it needs to be more than election promises. “Rather than just a list of short-term promises, what we need is for the next government to deliver to Tasmanians a long game plan, as time and time again, we are seeing the system and the healthcare workers in the system at breaking point and 14

patients not being treated within the recommended time frames whether that be in emergency departments or on the elective surgery waiting list.” Tasmania’s elective surgery waiting list is some of the worst in the country. “With an ageing population, we will continue to see waiting lists for outpatients (the step before being put on the waiting list) and elective surgery worsen, Dr McArdle shares. “We have an ever-increasing number of emergency patients needing theatre time which has meant elective cases having to be cancelled.” And it’s sometimes not until the last minute when surgeries are cancelled. “There is nothing more distressing for a patient to turn up to have their operation cancelled from the operating theatre waiting bay because there is no theatre time available or bed for them to go to post-surgery. Likewise, there is nothing more frustrating

or disappointing for the doctors and nurses to have to cancel surgery,” Dr McArdle said. COVID has impacted the system, but it is not the sole issue. “We have more surgeons available than there are operating sessions, and operations are cancelled because there are inadequate beds on the wards and in the ICU. We need more theatre nurses, ward nurses and anaesthetists,” Dr McArdle said. “Pre-COVID, we were completing about 15,000

elective surgery cases while we added 19,000 at the same time. Elective surgery was already underfunded before COVID; funding must meet increases in demand as well as the increased costs of running the health system. We need more open and transparent real-time data on elective surgery and the reasons for its cancellations so that promises can be made in election campaigns that will make a real difference and not just a headline from either political party.”

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NEWS FROM YOUR COMMUNITY

The Dream Free silk range.

Women at work.

HOBART’S BE HERS SEWING CENTRE Melody Towns is the founder of Be Hers, an organisation that’s working to end slavery and exploitation. She also started the Be Hers Sewing Centre, providing jobs to Hobart women in need. Tell us about the service and how it came about? We opened the original Be Hers Sewing Centre in 2019 in collaboration with Catholic Care who helped us with a start up grant. We initially employed four women, two mothers and their daughters from Afghanistan who had moved here as refugees and had experience in sewing. They helped us create our Dream Free silk range, which we sell online through our website. It’s a great product but during Covid we actually had to shut down the centre. When we re-opened, we were only able to keep two of the women on and helped the others set up their own micro-enterprise. The idea for the alterations centre has been there for a while. After working with these women we realised that social isolation is such a big problem, alongside financial distress, lack of English and lack of opportunity. All these vulnerabilities can lead to labour tracking, and as a charity that fights human trafficking globally, we wanted to do something tangible here to help. We also wanted to create 16

something that invited the general public to support where they could be involved. As alterations are a need, we had hoped it would bring in more regular work so that we can give these women more paid hours, and others also the opportunity to work here. We have been running the alterations for just three weeks and have been blown away by the public’s support and have been able to double the hours offered! What sort of impact has the centre had on the women you employ? The centre is amazing because we don’t just offer work experience but also paid employment that gives dignity and empowers refugee women not just socially but also financially. There are so many skills that can be learnt here, not just sewing but customer service, online bookings, marketing and quality control. All skills that can be then used for life in gaining more work opportunities. There’s also the opportunity to practice English in real time and create relationships with others in our community. Part of the program also includes upskilling and we have had other designers and seamstresses offer extra support alongside the employment. How does employment like this help both the refugee workers and the

wider community? It creates connection. I’ve learnt so much from these women. Their hospitality, generosity and work ethic is inspiring. They are no longer just employees but our families have shared dinner together and they are now a big part of our lives. I would never have met them if it wasn’t for this program. It not only helps them financially to be employed and educated in this type of environment but it also helps break down isolation barriers, language barriers and cultural differences and creates unity. For the wider community, so many people who have come into our centre also feel empowered that they can help women in need through something as simple as getting their hems done or their pants taken in. It’s a beautiful reflection of the city we live in with many in Hobart embracing this social enterprise. How can I readers get involved? Please bring in your items to be altered! We have a services list on our Be Hers Sewing Centre Facebook page, where you can also make an appointment. We are conveniently located in the Hobart CBD. This business depends on our customers so please come on in and share the page with your friends. More info email info@behers.org.au.

VOTE 1

BEN MCGREGOR

Authorised by Carol Brown, 27 Elizabeth Street, Hobart. 17

BITS AND PIECES A PAW UP FOR PETS Hobart’s current rental crisis is not just affecting a lot of people. It is also affecting a lot of beloved pets. When accommodation circumstances change suddenly or an owner needs to go to hospital, pet owners can’t always take their pets with them or afford to feed them. That’s when local charity A Paw Up can step in. They provide food for pets whose owners are facing homelessness, and in some cases they provide crisis foster care for pets too. Deb Conley from A Paw Up said the charity is always in need of appropriate food donations. “What we need most right now is good quality dry dog food and wet and dry cat food,” she said. “We appreciate that people like to give us blankets, and cute soft toys etc and we do distribute those, but we're ok for them right now. But we always need pet food.” Food can be donated at: • Woolworths, Campbell Street, Hobart • Emma’s Dog Walking Service, 87 Wilmot Road, Huonville • The Cat Cafè, Elizabeth Street, North Hobart • Office of Rebecca White MP, 33 Cole Street, Sorell • Office of Josh Willie MLC, 1/16 Albert Road, Moonah • Office of David O'Byrne, Rosny Park • Loaves & Fishes, Mill Lane, Glenorchy • Midway Point Neighbourhood House, Midway Point

Fans at the football. Pic: Western United FC

FOOTBALL RETURNS TO TASSIE! From the 14-22 April, national level football returns to Tassie with the Festival of Football. Events are being held in Devonport, Launceston and Hobart, with two marquee matches between Western United and the Central Coast Mariners and then Western United and Wellington Phoenix. There are many activities for the community to be involved in, including open training sessions, a fan day, and clinics in Hobart. For the lineup and tickets head to www.wufcfof.com.au. There are a number of ticket options available including discounts for the Football Tasmania community when you use the discount code PLAYFOOTBALL. For any ticketing enquiries email please email membership@wufc.com.au.

CRIME STOPPERS TASMANIA MONTHLY WRAP UP

HOBART HOUSING AFFORDABILITY WORSENS According to a recent report by the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation (NHFIC) housing affordability is at an all time low. In Hobart, only 10 per cent of homes available to rent are considered affordable for the bottom 40 per cent of income earners and buyers aren’t much better off. The bottom 60 per cent of income earners of potential first home buyers can afford 10–20 per cent of properties in these markets. These stats put us on par with Sydney in terms of affordability, which has been well documented as being unaffordable for many. Given the stats were a snapshot taken from June 2020, it will be interesting to see how they play out in June 2021, given the upheaval caused by COVID, more regional arrivals and the impact of JobKeeper, which finished at the end of March 2021. 18

Some safety and security issues have been raised for shoppers and retailers in Hobart’s CBD, in both indoor and outdoor spaces. Hobart Retailers Safety and Security Group has been formed to help combat public place aggression. Formed by retailers, with the assistance of the City of Hobart, the Group includes retailers, Tasmania Police and Crime Stoppers Tasmania. Let’s keep Hobart a beautiful, liveable and safe city! What you can do when faced by an aggressor: • Try to stay calm and keep your emotions under control • Lead by example; avoid sarcasm and adopt a passive and non-threatening posture (eg. hands by your side with empty palms facing forward) • Don’t argue, acknowledge their feelings and try to show that you are sincerely interested • Use space for self-protection (be aware of exits) • Make sure others are out of harm’s way How you can report public place aggression: In an emergency call 000. For non-urgent assistance call Tasmania Police on 131 444. Want to help but stay on the quiet? Speak up to Crime Stoppers Tasmania on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestopperstas.com.au

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COMMUNITY

WHAT’S UP AT THE SKYLINE SERVO? Words and pictures: Sarah Aitken

If you’ve ever driven up toward kunanyi/Mt Wellington from Hobart via Huon Road, you’ll have seen the iconic independent service station, Skyline. If you’ve ever set foot inside you’ve probably received the oldschool service that Lyn and Nev Rodman provide – they’ll have a friendly chat as they fill up the tank for you, and if you have a kiddo in the car it’s highly likely you’ll end up with a free lolly snake with your receipt. Looking back They’re an institution in the area, having run the place since 1982. Over the past 39 years of running a business on the hill overlooking Hobart, Lyn and Nev have seen some changes. “I think the biggest, and the worst, is where the department stores moved into the city,” says Nev. “That’s where the action was and it completely destroyed the character of the city in the fifties”. “Then the University is ruining it too,” adds Lyn. “Although, I think the biggest change is the traffic, getting into the city from here.”

Nev and Lyn at work.

Connecting the community They’ve enjoyed the safety and stability of the area, raising their children in South Hobart and spending weekends off at their cottage in Dover. “It’s a fairly stable vibe up here, it’s a nice safe suburb,” says Nev. “And being up, looking down over the city has a nice feel.” Indeed, their workshop alone has one of the best outlooks of Tassie. “For me it’s all about family. And I like the people,” says Lyn. “We have people who come in here and run into someone they haven’t seen in ages and they talk, and it’s nice!” “That’s the function of small business,” continues Nev. “To be that place where people can feel an identity rather than just some sort of number. More community. I think a lot of people would probably think of this place as ‘oh I’m glad they’re there, it’s good they’re there’ even if they haven’t supported us. That’s one of the reasons big business and big money have drawn people into their clothes, it’s because people are always chasing the dollar, chasing something a bit cheaper here, a bit cheaper there, and that’s winning out over the ethics of supporting small business,” he says. Look out Grey Nomads! All good things must come to an end and after nearly four decades in the game, they’re looking at what might come next. Lyn and Nev do not like to specify their ages, other than to say they are “definitely old enough to retire!”. When asked how long they’ll keep working, Nev jokes “I dunno...a week?”. Lyn is a little more serious: “I reckon it’ll be this year. We’re not getting any younger and we want to do other things. We want to be grey nomads!” The couple are unsure whether Skyline will continue as is once they are ready to move on. They have a few ideas, but in the meantime, they’re still here, Monday to Friday, chatting away as they serve customers and looking forward to the next adventure.

COVER FEATURE

SURF’S UP FOR LIZZIE STOKELY Words: Sarah Aitken Pictures: Supplied

Lizzie at Adventure Bay on Bruny Island.

Bruny Island’s Lizzie Stokely has just been invited to compete at the world’s most extreme surfing event, the Red Bull Cape Fear at Shipstern Bluff. She sat down to chat with Sarah Aitken about preparing for the big wave comp, which could be held anytime from now until 15 August 2021, on just 48 hours notice. Firstly, huge congratulations on being invited to compete! Thank you! I never thought an opportunity would come my way like this in my life, I’m just still processing it. I’m honoured to be on the list - I feel really lucky and super amped to get down there. 22

How are you feeling - physically and mentally - heading into this comp? Mentally, I’m feeling good. I don’t feel any pressure as I feel super privileged to even be invited. I’m not training to win the comp, but rather to be prepared and feel confident going into it. I’ve been doing lots of running, weight training, and also breath-holding training with Kyron Rathbone each week – this has helped me the most, especially my confidence with being able to cop a heavy wipeout. Every morning I get in a yoga flow before work, this has been a real benefit to my surfing this past year. I’m really good at getting worked up and thinking about a zillion

things at once and yoga really sets me up for the day. All of these things, and also surfing heaps, definitely makes me feel like I’m preparing as well as I can mentally and physically. Tell us what you love about surfing at Shippies? First thing that comes to mind is the coast line surrounding it, on the Tasman Peninsula. Whether you’re walking in or taking a boat around, it’s breathtaking. Such a beautiful part of the world and we’re lucky it’s right at our doorstep. My next favourite is the atmosphere, in the water and afterwards. All of the times I’ve been down there everyone is going nuts

in the line up having a sick time, and afterwards catching up for a beer with the people you missioned in with really makes the day. One wave there feels better than catching weeks’ worth of waves somewhere else - you just feel super pumped up and get the vision stuck in your head going down the face of the wave or looking at everyone in the channel. I don’t think there’s anything I don’t like about it! Tassie doesn’t usually come to mind when we think about hot surf spots. Describe the Tassie surf scene for us? It definitely doesn’t, but that’s our golden ticket. The less crowds the better! If you surf down here, you know how lucky we are. We’ve got some of the best waves in Australia. The thing that scares them off is the cold, which is good! Tassie is a hidden gem - if you surf down here, you surf because you really do love it. It takes a lot to go out in winter dressed up in all your rubber and brave the cold. You grew up on Bruny Island - do you still live there? I was born here and I’m still living on Bruny full-time - they can’t get rid of me! I love it. I appreciate it more every year that goes on. Bruny is everything that I need. I work down here as a deckhand on the Pennicott Wilderness Journey boats, which I absolutely love. That, as well as surfing, diving and fishing, is pretty much what I get up to. Myself and my family live in Lunawanna, we have a pretty good system - growing our own veggies, fresh eggs every day, and farming our own meat. This is the kind of life I want to have when I’m older, we’re so lucky. How did you get into surfing, and when did you realise it was your thing? I got into surfing when I was 6, my Dad gave up lots

of his surf time to push us into waves. Myself and my brother Frank loved mucking around together in the white wash. Even though sometimes I sooked when I got a bad wipeout, I’m very fortunate for Dad’s time because surfing has given me a lifestyle I couldn’t imagine living without. What’s it like to be a female surfer in Australia and Tasmania these days? I feel pretty happy with where female surfing is going. Here in Tassie I’m treated the same as the boys and that’s epic. The last Tassie comp I went in, we got equal prize money to the guys and that was super cool. One of the challenges I’ve found is getting sponsorship. I tried the WQS (World Qualifying Series) for a bit but found it hard to make a dent in the rankings as I couldn’t afford to go to every competition - it’s really expensive, and being self-funded, my job as a waitress at the time couldn’t cut it. It’s hard to get brands’ attention unless you win comps, but you can’t win them if you can’t afford to get to them. And it’s a bit hard to show off a brand’s newest bikini line when you’re wearing a 4/3mm wetsuit, hood, and boots looking like a penguin for the majority of the year!

COVER FEATURE

Lizzie working on her abs.

What are your passions outside of surfing? Getting out in my little tinny and going fishing and diving. Watching sunsets from our Bruny house makes me really happy. Also doing things outdoors with my little sister Ruby, it’s cool being a bit of a mentor to her and watching her click onto things and enjoy them too. And I’m passionate about my dog Lola, she’s the best! Tell us about your jewellery business? I have a small business called Luna Collections - I create jewellery made out of lots of different stuff, but my main line is Bruny Island Abalone pieces that I’ve caught myself. This little business Lizzie wearing her Luna Collections abalone shell earrings. 24

really took off during the pandemic, it has been so cool watching it grow (and funny watching me learn how to run a business really quickly). I started it to aid my surfing competition costs – I basically decided to figure it out myself and be my own sponsor, and try to get a bit of extra cash to help out a little. I never thought it would grow to this though, I’m so grateful and very excited to see what the future holds for it. You can catch Lizzie in action in the Red Bull Cape Fear event. Keep checking www.redbull.com, we’ll also shout out on our socials when the event kicks off.

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Willow Warriors using the drill and fill method to control Willows on the Tyenna River.

WEEPING WILLOWS: HOW A CRACK TEAM OF WILLOW WARRIORS ARE CLEANING UP Interview: Stephanie Williams Pictures: Magali Wright Magali Wright leads a team of dedicated volunteers in saving the waterways of the Tyenna River and Derwent Estuary from an introduced species, the willow tree. Why are willow trees a problem? Willows like water and grow in and along waterways. They are very good at outcompeting native trees. The main species we treat is crack willow as it’s very good at spreading along waterways - it grows from branches and sticks that are easily broken from trees. When these sticks and branches float downstream they get snagged and, within a small amount of time, new roots will grow and form a new willow tree. Like many introduced plant species, willows were brought to Australia as ornamental garden species in an attempt to make the landscape appear more like a northern hemisphere environment. It was also valued for wood to make cricket bats. One of the most noticeable effects of willows in waterways is their root-mats. These mats grow out away from the riverbank, over rocks and begin to reduce the flow of water. If there are two trees growing either side of a river their root-mats will grow out and meet each other, this can reduce river flow, cause localised flooding and new river channels to form. Channelling 26

can damage riverbanks and infrastructure such as roads and pumping stations. The localised flooding can also create damage to farmland and people’s homes. As willows are shallow rooted and have fragile branches, most of the debris after a flood in willow-infested rivers is willow branches and trunks. Willow root mats also reduce habitat for native waterbugs, changing the diversity in the river and reducing food for fish and other aquatic species. Willows can also use more water than native vegetation, with one hectare of willow using 3.9-5 ML more than native vegetation in the same area. When willow leaves fall in the autumn they reduce water quality by reducing the oxygen in the water as they decay. Willows also restrict access to rivers for recreational activities such as angling and kayaking. How do you get rid of a tree? It depends on its size and form. Some trees are rather large and require extra work whilst others can be simply pulled out by hand if they are small enough. Large trees are treated with a technique called Drill and Fill and/or Frill and Fill. This process involves drilling holes around the trunk with 50mm spacing and a water-safe herbicide applied directly to the holes. The holes expose the cambium layer of the tree,

which is the area of the tree that transports water and nutrients. Through this layer the poison is taken directly into the living tissue of the tree. This process reduces the amount of herbicide needed and means there’s no off-target damage, and minimal risk to the waterway. Trees can be left to die standing in areas without important infrastructure such as bridges. Once the tree is dead it can be felled and removed from the riverbank. We like to kill the tree first as it reduces the chance of the tree creating more little willows through sticks and branches breaking off during the removal process. If the tree is small, we can treat them with a similar technique called Cut and Paste. This simply means chopping the smaller diameter trunk off with snips and applying the same water-safe herbicide to the freshly cut area. It’s important with all techniques to apply the herbicide within 30 seconds, if you wait any longer the tree will seal-up the exposed area the same way we do with a cut to our skin. What is your role in the program? I have a background in plant conservation and horticulture research and teaching. Since moving to Tassie in 2010 I have worked on practical land management and threatened species programs and spent lots of time coordinating volunteer programs. I’m a Project Officer at the Derwent Catchment Project and coordinate the Tyenna River Recovery Program, the Derwent Catchment Biosecurity Working Group and undertake Strategic Planning activities – we recently worked with local

agriculture and tourism business to develop a plan for sustainable growth of agriculture and tourism in the Catchment. How can readers become a Willow Warrior? The best way to become a Willow Warrior is send me an email – magali@derwentcatchment.org. From there they will go onto our emailing list and be notified of upcoming events. Depending on the day it can be weed treatment, removal of dead willows from riverbanks, planting native species back into a treated area, maintenance of native plantings, water monitoring using the Waterbug Blitz or a combination of these activities in a single working bee depending on what is needed. Are there other components of the Tyenna River Recovery Program? We’re working on a plan to eradicate crack willow from the Tyenna River over the next 10 years. We are removing willows with riverside landholders, local residents, the Inland Fisheries Service and Willow Warriors. In areas where dense willows are removed, we’re replanting native riverbank plants after willow control. We are also working with John Gooderham from the Waterbug Company to undertake yearly WaterBug Blitz along the river to help understand changes to water quality with the work we undertake. We’re working to fund a similar program with the Derwent Estuary Program looking at other measures of water quality such as nutrient levels and sedimentation. For more information about our plan, which is supported by the Fisheries Habitat Improvement Fund, can be found on our website at www.derwentcatchment.org.

COMMUNITY

HOW RETIRED MIDWIFE RON IS HELPING NEW DADS Interview: Stephanie Williams

Ron Hastie started his working career as a bricklayer, only to find nursing and then midwifery later in his career. He now runs a special program to ease new Dads into parenthood. You trained and worked for a number of years as a midwife here in Hobart. Can you tell me about that? My wife Sue and I came to Hobart in 1995, initially intending to work here for two to three years. I had heard about the Know Your Midwife (KYM) scheme at the Royal Hobart Hospital (RHH), one of only two in the country, and it sounded like a good way of working. Neither of us had work lined up and just figured something would work out. Both of us had jobs within a few weeks, Sue being a Primary School teacher. I was a fairly inexperienced midwife at that stage - I became a midwife at age 36, something I had been striving for since I was a student nurse in my early 30’s. Prior to falling into a nursing diploma, I had been a bricklayer for about 10 years after doing a three year apprenticeship under my father, having left school after a mediocre year 11. In Hobart I also met a couple of other male midwives - often this was blokes who had come to health work later in life too. After a couple of years being casually employed I managed to get permanency and started in the KYM scheme where I stayed till my retirement in 2017. Most of my midwifery work life I was the only male midwife on the scene. Blokes represent about 1% of the midwifery workforce. I really loved my time as a midwife, despite feeling somewhat of an imposter in a very female dominated field of work and exclusively female clientele! The good thing about KYM meant the women knew that there was a guy in that scheme so it was easy to avoid “the man” if they preferred not to have a male caring for them. I would never want to impose myself on a family not wanting a man to care for them. Birthing should be about choices of where and with whom you want at your birth. Happily over time I built somewhat of a reputation as a midwife and I’m still rewarded to this day when a woman recognises me in the street and introduces her teenage “baby” to me that I may have assisted to birth or breastfeed. You now run Beer and Bubs, a support get together for men about to enter, or are new to fatherhood. How does it work? In 2012 I came across Beer and Bubs, a one off childbirth education session for fathers to be held in pubs. I thought it sounded interesting and something I figured I could do as I had been doing parenting and childbirth classes at RHH for about 10 years. So I made enquiries. Beer and Bubs was started in Sydney in about 2004 and spread out as a franchise around the country to about a dozen cities. Again, I was the only bloke doing it, 28

the rest were mostly childbirth doulas. Doulas are defined as; a woman who gives support, help, and advice to another woman during pregnancy and during and after the birth. In my time taking classes at RHH the focus tended, by necessity, to be on the women so I felt there may be an opening for a program that focuses on the guys, in a guy-friendly environment and Beer and Bubs fits this to a tee. Do you think men get left behind in the “becoming a parent” phase? Beer and Bubs purely focuses on the dad’s role while his partner is in labour, however in my 10 years of doing Beer and Bubs I have further developed the session into some basics of the early months and years of fatherhood and their part in their child’s development and destiny. There really isn’t a lot of parenting advice aimed specifically at the dads, and at every Beer and Bubs session a different dad comes back to tell of his experiences. The guys really love to hear this first hand from the horse’s mouth, so to speak. Do you have any gold nuggets of advice for a man about to become a father? Or who are in the thick of it? The best advice I can give blokes is show-up - by this I mean for both birthing and parenting, being present with your partner, with your child, in the moment and don’t overthink it, just be there. If a father is experiencing issues, or he suspects his partner is suffering post natal depression, what would you suggest he does? If a father is worried about himself or his partner, talk is therapy for everyone, so talk, talk, talk! There’s plenty of other help out there too, be it your local child health nurse, your GP, or online services like beyondblue.org.au or panda.org.au. Don’t keep putting it off, help with mental health is as important as help with physical health. How can readers get involved in Beers and Bubs? Should a reader feel Beer and Bubs could be for them, or their man, go to the website for more information beerandbubs.com.au

OPINION

IT’S 2021 AND THE MEDIA IS STILL MISOGYNISTIC Words: Zilla Gordon

A planned ‘costume reveal’ at the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show changed Janet Jackson’s career. Singing with Justin Timberlake, the performance ended in disaster for Jackson, with Timberlake ‘accidentally’ removing part of her costume, exposing her right breast to a television audience of more than 100 million viewers. The pair were performing Timberlake’s song Rock Your Body. It was Timberlake’s song, it was his lyrics. Lyrics that included ‘bet I’ll have you naked by the end of this song’. Timberlake, who actually removed her clothing, told Access Hollywood: “Hey man, we love giving something to talk about.” Yet it was Jackson who was forced to issue a written apology while Timberlake was able to laugh off the incident. In 2013 Timberlake headlined the halftime show for the third time, with his most recent appearance in 2018. Janet, however, burned professionally at the stake but Timberlake was allowed to turn out number one hits. Seventeen years later, it appears we’ve begun to acknowledge the way we scrutinised women throughout the 2000s. #FreeBritney Released earlier this year, the film Framing Britney Spears documents the teen sensation’s rise to fame and her role in American culture, as well as the conservatorship that she has been living under since 2008 which sparked the #FreeBritney movement. Here too, Timberlake comes off scott-free after he told the media, while they were both teen-stars, that he and Spears slept together, while she denied the comments. In 2002 he released the video clip to his song Cry me a River, in which an actor resembling Spears - cheats on Timberlake. Timberlake issued an apology in February to both women following accusations of sexism, racism and for his mistreatment of Jackon and Spears. The documentary also shows us how ingrained sexism and misogyny is within the media. And shamefully, it also reminds me of my own feelings, as 20-something struggling with my own identity and body image, of schadenfreude when seeing celebrities’ most intimate and personal moments splashed across the front pages of gossip magazines.

Shhh Justin, Janet is iconic.

While I think the media has made some progress, that instead of asking “is she pregnant or just bloated?”, we’re trying to understand mental illness rather than make fun of it, that we’re really trying to raise women up, to listen to them - and believe them. She was probably drunk But 2021 has taught me as long as it’s ‘he’ vs ‘she’, there is still a gender imbalance that goes well beyond the realm of the media. When Prime Minister Scott Morisson discussed the alleged rape of former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins, he said he had talked with his wife Jenny and considered how he, as a father, would want his daughters to be treated. Sexual adult advocate and Australian of the Year Grace Tame was later asked about the Prime Minister’s response while she was addressing the National Press Club in Canberra. She stated, “It shouldn’t take having children to have a conscience. And actually, on top of that, having children doesn’t guarantee a conscience.” Adelaide radio presenter Jeremy Cordeaux was sacked after he called Higgins “a silly little girl who got drunk”, with Cordeaux refusing to retract his comments. Why is it, when a woman alleges sexual assault, we say ‘prove it’, not ‘I believe you’? In 2012, the then Prime Minister Julia Gillard delivered the now-famous Misogyny Speech in reaction to the opposition leader Tony Abbott accusing her of sexism. It went viral. The Macquarie Dictionary updated its definition of the word ‘misogyny’ from a “hatred of women” to now an “entrenched prejudice against women”. While that speech was almost nine years ago, women on TikTok have been lip-synching to the speech while doing their make-up as a positive message of empowerment. Don’t get me wrong, we’ve made progress - it’s good to have these discussions. But if I’m still reading comments on Facebook saying “women make stuff like this up all the time” our battle against misogyny is not yet won.

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WHAT’S ON IN HOBART MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

Arwen Dyer, Tourism Tasmania.

Head to Campania for a day-long olive fermenting workshop, run by Quantal Bioscience for Seedlab Tasmania including lunch, afternoon tea and refreshments.

Get a taste for Aikido Aikikai tonight for free at the Police and Citizens Youth Club on Liverpool Street. Watch or participate in this comprehensive system of Japanese throwing, joint-locking and pinning techniques.

Head along to TMAG for the Lift Off! school holiday program from today until 16 April. Explore the special activities or take the kids on a wander through the current exhibits. More details at www.tmag.tas.gov.au.

Stretch out, feel replenished and give back to yourself with a community yoga class at Blackmans Bay Community Hall at 5.30pm. Tickets are $6, book ahead.

Take the kids to see The Midnight Gang at the Theatre Royal today. 12-year-old Tom finds himself lost in St Crook’s Hospital and joins with his fellow patients for a midnight adventure.

The Midnight Gang.

Jazz Jam is back at Pablo’s Cocktails and Dreams, welcoming all Vocalist and Jazz musician’s to join the House Band. Doors open at 6pm, music starts at 8pm, every Thursday night. Order dinner from Tandoor House upstairs.

Kids over eight will enjoy spending some creative coding time with Sphero balls - fast furious and lots of fun - at the Hobart Library today from 10:30am. Book ahead.

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

Start your weekend off with some laughs at Fiona O’Loughlin’s funniest (yet brutal!) show to date as she gives every generation a metaphoric hug…and a punch in the throat at the Theatre Royal.

Denise Scott.

Enjoy some spectacular autumn Hobart weather outdoors while you can at Cascade Brewing Co’s Pots & Pooches event. They’ve partnered with Dogs’ Home of Tasmania who’ll be selling dog apparel and treats.

For the first time since COVID, Digital Ready is off the screen and in person for a free series of Digital Ready Regional Forums to help fine-tune your digital strategy for the not-so-new normal. Book online.

The Bridgewater Library hosts Play & Learn this morning at 10:30am with fun, educational activities for kids and carers. Other dates too, head online for details.

TasICT hosts a breakfast networking event this morning with guest speaker Australian of the Year Grace Tame, from 7am at Blundstone Arena. Tickets essential.

Find out more about the faces of our ANZACs with a history session at the Kingston Library looking at the National Archives from World War 1, World War 2 and the Boer War. Book ahead via their website.

Take the little kids along to Rock and Rhyme at the Hobart Library at 10am this morning. It’s a free (and fun!) 30 minute lap-sit session for parents, carers and their babies.

Listen to Zoe Rimmer deliver a talk about Indigenous Museology at the Allport Library (within the Hobart Library) as part of the Professional Historians Association (Tas.) Lecture Series.

The TSO performs Mahler’s Fourth Symphony tonight at Federation Concert Hall (and live streamed for subscribers). Acclaimed soprano Lorina Gore joins for the touching finale, Life in Heaven.

Comedian Denise Scott is in town to perform at The Clubhouse at the Hellenic Club tonight, alongside some awesome support acts.

The Hobart Twilight Market lights up Brooke Street Pier tonight with a superb selection of Tasmanian eats, drinks, design and music from 4:30pm.

Hobart Twilight Market.

APRIL SATURDAY SATURDAY

The copyAustralian Wooden Boat Festival’s Maritime Trails is on this weekend across the state, exploring boatyards, boat rides, museums and theatre.

SUNDAY SUNDAY copy

Psychology in the Pub.

copy Join Jo Smith, of Naturally Well with Jo and Bruny Island Market Garden, and Simon Allston of historic Lauriston Farm on North Bruny for a series of ‘The Art of Growing Your Own Food’ workshops. Book ahead.

Genesis Owcopy usu performs tonight at Republic Bar. His new album Smiling With No Teeth is his first extended release since his 2017 debut EP, Cardrive.

It’s election day copy so make sure you get out there and exercise your democratic right….to an democracy sausage. And vote too.

FURTHER AFIELD

Thought 2020 copy would never end? Thought 2021 would be better? Maybe you’re suffering from COVID-19 fatigue. Psychology in the Pub, held at the Hobart Brewing Co, could help you out while you grab a pint of your favourite.

Throw on copy your best retro dress for Hobart’s All Rockabilly Day. Head to the Queens Domain from 9am until midday today to check out some incredible USA cars and 50s Americana culture.

copy

17 - 18 April The Fresh Hop festival celebrates the Tassie hop harvest, with local brewers sourcing fresh hops to make single batch hopped up beers to tap for the weekend. The brewers will be there mingling in the crowd and taking part in masterclasses, tastings and Q&As. Head to www.freshhop. com.au.

23 April Try your hand at cooking rustic Italian fare at Gert and Teds’ class held at Twamley Farm at Buckland. After a Prosecco on arrival, you’ll create a three-course menu for lunch including homemade bread, pasta ragu and tiramisu. Then sit down, celebrate and fest together. Each course will be matched with a glass of East Coast wine. Book at www. twamleyfarm.com.au.

23 - 25 April After last month’s rain washed them out, ECHO Festival has regrouped and repaired and will be returning for a weekend festival showcasing high-end chefs, wine makers, storytellers, musicians, performance and installation artists, and scientists all together on the East Coast.

From 30 April The Breath of Fresh Air Film Festival (BOFA) returns to the big screen in both Launceston (30 April –2 May) and Hobart (28-30 May). If watching films from the sofa is more your thing, get involved in the free online BOFA (3 –30 May). There are separate programs in-cinema and online, so don’t miss a thing and do both!

From April 24 Running from late April to early May, celebrate the autumn at one of Tasmania’s favourite events - the Festival of Fagus. Head to alpine Cradle Mountain and discover a range of photography, art, chocolate and gin workshops as well as tours around the annual turning of the leaves. Or stay closer to home and explore the fagus at Mt Field National Park.

Pic: Emilie Ristevski.

Got an event coming up in Tassie? Email us at editor@thehobartmagazine.com.au

Background photo: Chris Crerar, Tourism Tasmania.

Are you a new arrival looking for mates? Head to the For even more “That’s It I’m Moving events in Hobart and To Tassie!” Facebook further afield this page party at Fox Friday Brewery to meet other month head to new Hobartians. From www.thehobartmagazine.com.au/events 8pm.

Genesis Owusu.

For even more events in Hobart and further afield this month head to www.thehobartmagazine.com.au/events 33

COMMUNITY

WHERE’D YOU GET THAT WOOD? HOW TO SOURCE LEGALLY HARVESTED FIREWOOD Words: Zilla Gordon Some might say you’re not really Tasmanian until you’ve seen a ute stockpiled with illegally caught firewood.

dangerous. This debris has the potential to interfere with access by others, including firefighting resources.

And while we might laugh over the thought of this rather common sight, the illegal collecting of firewood, known as wood-hooking, can result in a hefty fine. That means sourcing sustainable, legally harvested wood to keep us warm through our cold winter is no joke. But what makes your firewood sustainable, where does it come from, and how can you tell if your wood is the real deal?

While dead trees make for good firewood, some of our native animals rely on hollows in trees for shelter or to breed, said environmental conservation organisation NRM South. These hollows can often be more than 150 years old. On the forest’s floor, fallen wood is the perfect home for mosses, lichen, fungi and liverworts. And if this wood is taken to heat your home, it will impact Tasmania’s fragile ecosystem.

Price-point Micheal Reid is in the process of setting up his sustainable firewood business, RAM Firewood Merchants, and said cost was a big factor for consumers. “We charge more because we pay more for it,” he said. “People have told us they want to buy sustainable wood, but we have to charge more to recover the cost.”

The Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service said their officers work with the police to limit illegal firewood harvesting in parks and reserves. While it might seem tempting to just go to the source, the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service said the maximum penalty for cutting down trees on reserved land is 500 penalty units (currently $86,000) and or two years’ imprisonment, while possessing or using a chainsaw on a reserve could attract a fine of up to 20 penalty units (currently $3,440).

But buying from a larger supplier, like Micheal, would reduce the cost of the wood overall. “Because of the large volume we buy, it’s lower cost,” he said. While old mate on the corner might be selling for less, Micheal said it was up to the consumer to decide if they’d pay the price. Spot the difference When it comes to wood, looks count. The telltale sign of plantation timber is processing marks on the log. While Micheal said it “wasn’t definitive”, it means the wood’s come from a plantation or logging co-op. “And if something seems too good to be true, it probably is,” Micheal said. The Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service agreed, saying householders often unknowingly contribute to the problem by purchasing firewood that has been illegally sourced. Meanwhile, Micheal said to be wary of Gumtree listings where the wood can’t be traced. “We’ve chosen to take the hard route where there’s an obligation to have complete traceability,” he said. “We have meticulous record-keeping because we’ve got to be able to prove where the wood comes from.” Why it matters? Tasmania Police said the illegal cutting of wood not only impacts on parks and reserves, but the risks posed by the manner in which debris is left across tracks and in the forest canopy is 34

Fetch your firewood So can you collect your own firewood? Yes and no. You’ll need to have permission from the landowner or land manager to collect wood from public land. If you’re collecting wood from private land, you must also have permission from the landowner. There are certain situations where you’ll need an exemption form, like providing it’s not vulnerable land, you’re taking less than one hectare or less than 100 tonnes over a 12-month period. Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service said NRM South’s website includes information about how people can ensure their firewood meets the requirements. Tasmania Police also said there are processes involved in the legal gathering of firewood and permits are available from Sustainable Timbers Tasmania (STT) for the sole purpose of gathering firewood for personal use only, and that the sale of firewood obtained under STT permits is not authorised.

Firewood is the main source of home heating, according to NRM South. More than 50 per cent of homes use wood fires as the primary source of heating and Tasmania is the greatest consumer, per person, of firewood in Australia.

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Independent Member for Clark www.andrewwilkie.org andrew.wilkie.mp@aph.gov.au Telephone 03 6234 5255 Authorised by Andrew Wilkie MP 188 Collins Street Hobart 7000 35

PODCAST

STEPHANIE TRETHEWEY Interview: Stephanie Williams Our editor Steph sat down with farmer Stephanie Trethewey for the latest episode of The Hobart Magazine Podcast. Stephanie is a co-founder of the Tasmanian Agricultural Company, a regenerative food brand on a mission to produce carbon positive beef through its farming practices. She’s also the host of the Motherland Australia podcast and a journalist. You weren’t always a farmer. What was your journey onto the land? I had never lived on the land before we moved to Tassie 18 months ago. My background is as a TV journalist. I spent eight years working around the country for Channel 7 and Channel 9 for shows like A Current Affair and Sunday Night, until I interviewed a handsome farmer for a story for the Nightly News. And the rest is history. We did end up moving to Melbourne and working in corporate jobs and then eventually decided to move back to his home state of Tassie and start this business. Where did you interview your now-husband, Sam? I was living in Rockhampton in Queensland at the time. I was managing the Channel 7 Central Queensland Bureau. And it was a really slow news day. There was a farming conference locally. I turned up and asked the local organisers who could I interview and they said, “Oh, that young bloke over there, Sam Trethewey, they’ve just flown him up from Victoria.” I tapped him on the shoulder and persuaded him to chat to me on camera and he got my business card. For the rest of your life. That’s it. It’s funny because the story I interviewed him on was actually a story about meat. It was about how consumers have lost their connection with where their food comes from, particularly meat, because kids don’t go to butchers. Fast forward seven years, and we’re running a beef business.

It’s come full circle for you. Back to Tassie. Yes. Sam’s a third generation Tassie farmer. Like a lot of Tassie people do, he left school at 18 and decided to spread his wings and worked overseas on farms, worked on the mainland, cut his teeth in the agribusiness industry. 15 years later, we moved back here. Tassie is quite a special place. We are seeing an increasing number of Sam’s friends, people who are 35 plus that are moving back home because it is an amazing place to start a business. There’s so much opportunity down here. And a beautiful place to raise kids - we’ve got two kids as well. Do you miss TV journalism? No. It’s much less glamorous than it sounds. And after eight years, I’m done. It’s a pretty high pressure industry and cutthroat. I do miss chasing the odd dodgy person down the street. I was that reporter that would chase people down the street. I loved it. It was this big adrenaline rush. How is your business becoming carbon positive? We were sitting in Melbourne in our corporate jobs and started this idea for the business. We thought, what’s

beyond sustainable? What if we could produce a regenerative and truly carbon positive beef product, because cows are the punching bag for climate change in a lot of situations. People don’t understand that it’s the ‘how’ not the cow. We’ve set out on this mission to do that, and we’re building a lot of data along the way. And how do you do that? Basically, regenerative agriculture, which is what we do, uses a lot of non-conventional farming practices that are a bit more in sync with mother nature. So often in farming conventional farms fight mother nature. They don’t work with her. They want to dominate the soil, dominate pests, weed control. The reality is controlling mother nature doesn’t usually end very well as we’re seeing with a lot of the destruction to our top soil around the world. They say we’ve got 60 harvests left, which is pretty frightening. Really? It’s one of those things you’re reading, and think that’s surely a media beat up. This is globally, not just in Australia. The way we farm is all about drawing down carbon dioxide out of

the atmosphere and storing it back in the ground. And the way we do that is through plants. Specific plants that have really good taproots and root structure and the ability to draw down as much as possible. Ultimately our aim is, through many different regenerative practices, to show that we can draw down more carbon dioxide out of the air than our entire operation emits. So hence, being what we call truly carbon positive. We’re seeing an increasing number of businesses jump on the bandwagon of being carbon neutral and often buying carbon credits, offsetting their emissions. I’m sure their heart’s in the right place, in a way because it’s better than doing nothing. But it’s not really like boots on the ground, skin in the game type stuff. We use organic natural fertilisers. We feed our cattle what we call a salad bowl buffet. Think of a leafy salad bowl, turnips, radish, peas, corn, oats, sunflowers we planted. We do that because this particular variety of plants are really good at drawing down CO2 and storing it back in the ground through its root structure. The bonus is our cattle get a really diverse, more nutritious diet than just grass and clover. Has there been a transition for the property? It’s a huge transition for any property to get new management. You’ve got to be careful here because you don’t want to put your foot in it or offend people that have farmed a certain way before us. But we have chosen to farm this way.

You take on a property. It’s like having a drug addict, right? Like you’re someone who has been reliant on chemicals, on various things that a lot of farms use to get the grass to grow and all that stuff. We quit cold turkey, which is typical of Sam’s approach. The landscape goes into a bit of shock and withdrawals. We have to increase the organic carbon levels in our soil and that takes time. They say it takes at least three years to really get things going. So we’re just over halfway.

for us, it was about what is the most trustworthy process and globally recognized that we can do. When they tested our farm they actually measured 18 randomly selected GPS locations across our farm and dug and measured down one metre deep to measure carbon levels across our farm to give us an average percentage. When we retest our farm, we’d like to do it in another two years. Hopefully by that time, we will be able to prove that carbon positive mission.

How do you prove how regenerative you are? We are collecting and building data on everything we’re doing, from soil tests, plant nutrition, our cattle’s health, you name it. When it comes to our ultimate mission, which is to be truly carbon positive and to show that we can sequester more carbon than our entire operation and needs. In 2019 we became the first farm in Tasmania to register a soil carbon project through the Australian government’s Emissions Reduction Fund. And that testing methodology uses the only methodology that’s eligible under the United Nations Paris Agreement. What that means is that all future carbon credits will actually count towards Australia’s national target under that UN Paris Agreement. Now we’re not doing it because we care about the carbon credits, that’s the bonus. We’re doing it because we believe it to be the best testing methodology, that has the most integrity that consumers can trust. That was really important to us because you can do soil carbon tests. Lots of people do them, that’s fantastic. But

And does it make a difference to the taste of the beef? In the salad bowl paddocks, yes. We did a test run of our beef before we went to market and it was a real different flavor. We had a chef down in Hobart just try it, and he was like, “Oh, wow. Like it’s a grownup type of taste.” And we were trying to figure out why. Everyone’s got their own opinion, but I think we’re definitely starting to see some unique flavours peppered through some of our animals. And your packaging is home compostable? Yes. We really want to be known for being transparent, and we’re trying our best. We’re not perfect, but we’re trying. I said to Sam, “I don’t feel comfortable with going to market and having any plastic in our packaging.” We’re trying to be beyond sustainable, then here we are with plastic trays. We found a company in New Zealand, called Econic, who supply us with these bags. You can get quite easily compostable packaging for all sorts of things, fruit and

can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. And to have someone who’s had all this experience to tell you that they’ve survived and that you can get through. If she can do that, you can get through your day kind of thing. Yeah, it was pretty amazing and very moving. So I feel very lucky that women open up to me.

veg and things with longer shelf life. A lot of brands have been doing this for a couple of years. But raw meat, it’s got to have a shelf life. Your podcast, Motherland, has just hit 100,000 listens, which is amazing. Why do you think it resonates? I was looking for something like Motherland myself. I definitely suffered from some level of postnatal depression after I had my son. Then when we moved here and being really isolated, I yearned to hear other people’s stories. When women come together to share their stories, amazing things happen. It’s like cutting back the BS. My life’s not perfect. And when someone else says, “Oh my God, me too,” it’s just so reassuring. Rural motherhood is a very unique kettle of fish. Having been a mum in the city and in the country, they are totally different experiences. And I just thought, “Screw it, I’ll just launch it and see if two people listen.” And it’s grown from there. Who has been your favorite guest? There have been so many. But it’s Karen Brock, a Tasmanian woman. She actually won Agrifutures Rural Women of the Year for Tassie last year. She was on my 50th episode. For anyone who wants to go back and listen, her story is quite amazing. She talked about the domestic violence she suffered in her marriage and very deep personal things. She’s an experienced mum. I think for anyone with young kids, you’re in the trenches, you 38

It says a lot about your interview style, that someone would feel so comfortable to share that when it hasn’t been shared before. I’m just me. I love telling stories. But now that I’m a mum, I can genuinely put myself in other people’s shoes, because if you’re not a mum, with all due respect and I hated this when people told me before I had kids, they’re like, “Just wait till you have kids.” It’s infuriating. I know. Then you have kids and you’re like, “Oh my God, I was such an idiot.” I was that person that realised how wrong I’d been. Women and mums, they just want to feel heard and valued. And I think that that’s what the show does. It’s about celebrating rural mums and connecting them from all over the country. What does a day look like for your family? To be honest, at the moment, it’s absolute chaos. I just feel like Sam and I can’t catch a break. We’re so hard in the trenches of this new business, which we’ve been working so hard on for so long and we’re finally in market, but it almost feels like the hard work starts now. Throw a toddler and a four-month-old into the mix and that’s really tricky. I don’t know if anyone out there has got the juggle down pat. If you do, particularly in a family business, I think that adds a whole other layer of pressures and strains. Where can readers find your beef? At the moment, we’re expanding to the Melbourne market very soon, which is exciting. We are stocked at all Hill Street Grocer stores across Tassie. A special shout out to them. They have been fantastic. They’re really big on supporting local Tassie brands. And Steve Longmore, from Hill Street, has nurtured us from the start and given us a crack. I think that’s really important. Particularly with these new

movements like regenerative food, we need people and consumers to know what it is. Otherwise, they’re not going to demand it if they don’t know about it. When covid hit we were building our strategy around restaurants. So we totally pivoted and have gone really high on retail, which just turned out to be amazing. We’re growing in volume. And by the middle of the year, we’ll really have a lot of beef that needs to find a home. And we’re really excited for where that takes us. When consumers are making a purchasing decision, what should they consider? Regenerative food is quite new and I think we’re going to start to see more and more credibility built around that. There’s not like a one-size-fits-all definition of it. But consumers have the power. The more consumers educate themselves about things like regenerative food - if you genuinely care about things like climate change, food security, the environment, animal welfare, soil health, all that stuff. If you care, then do some research. Some farmers will farm this way because they believe in it, like we do. Some will perhaps dabble in it or it’ll open their eyes to it because people will be demanding it. I think in five years’ time, you and I will catch up and it will be the norm. It’ll just be, that’s the way things are produced. You can find out more about Tas Ag Co at www.tasagco.com.au. To listen to Stephanie’s podcast, search ‘Motherland Australia’ on all the good platforms. To listen to The Hobart Magazine Podcast search for us on the same platforms.

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DINING OUT

THAI FOOD MEMORIES IN MOONAH Words and images: Zilla Gordon

Moving to Hobart from Brisbane almost two-and-a-half years ago, I’d heard this town served up some great food. I knew there were wine bars hidden around a sandstone corner, or I could pick locally caught seafood at tuck in while watching the boats at Constitution Dock. But I knew little about the offerings beyond the so-called “flannelette curtain”. I knew even less about Sarinya Thai Fusion Restaurant (Sarinya) off Moonah’s Main Road. Making a booking for 7pm on a Friday night, my partner and I were quickly seated and given menus. There were classics, as well as vegan-friendly options on the menu, so it was tempting to go for my staple order of a chicken pad thai. However, after I noticed the inclusion of a whole fish, the decision-making was easy. The whole fish instantly took me back to a trip to south-east Asia I had more than ten years ago. I’d been served a whole deepfried elephant fish and the table of hungry diners were invited to break off crispy shards of fish and roll it into rice paper rolls. So the crispy whole tilapia fish with tamarind sauce ($28) was a must. We’d also opted for the marinated crispy quail ($12.90), home made Thai fish cakes ($7.90 for four), the larb pork minced salad ($16) and a side of steamed rice ($2.50). While there was

a constant flow of Friday takeaways, there were still a few other dinners who’d opted to dine in on the warm and sunny evening. Our entrees arrived quickly. The fishcakes were fragrant and sung of kaffir lime leaves and their texture soft and moist. Arriving shortly after, the quail was crunchy, salty and tender and a welcome change from a spring roll. Our larb was everything I’d hoped it to be - my partner and I visited Thailand together in 2019, and we’d struggled to find somewhere that recreated the fresh flavours we’d experienced on the streets of Bangkok. Spicy and light, the khao khua (toasted rice powder) added a satisfying dimension to the well-balanced flavours of spicy, sweet, bitter and salty. After a little bit of plate shuffling, we made room for the deep-fried fish, which was accompanied with a spicy tamarind sauce with green beans and tomatoes. You know the food is good when the conversation is replaced by the silence of eating. Although plated with a knife to cut the flaky white fish, I was happy to put in a little extra work and pick off every single mouthful I could. Potentially a finger bowl would have come in handy here for those who, like me, don’t mind getting their hands dirty. While the fish was good, the accompanying side sauce was the hero. Its distinct sweet-but-sour flavour was perfect when poured over the remaining steamed rice, leaving me with a delicious last mouthful. With dinner under $70, Sarinya offers great value for money but it also serves up something a little different than a green curry or massaman (although you’ll still find those on the menu). More importantly, the food made me feel like I was back in the balmy streets of south-east Asia. And while the edge of the Moonah commuter car park might not seem like the ideal location for a Friday night meal, after dining at Sarinya, it might be my new go-to. Sarinya Thai Fusion 1/79 Main Rd, Moonah www.sarinyathaifusion.com.au

CHECK IN TAS MANDATORY FROM 1 MAY 2021 Many businesses and organisations will be required to use the free Check in TAS app to collect contact information about everyone who spends time at their premises or event. This means that Tasmanians and visitors will also be legally required to check-in through the app when they visit these premises from 1 May. Check in TAS is available to download from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. If you don’t have a smartphone or are unable to use one, others in your group can check-in for you or staff at the premises will be able to check you in manually. For businesses and organisations: To see if this applies to your business or organisation and to register visit www.checkin.tas.gov.au or call the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738.

www.checkin.tas.gov.au Authorised by the Tasmanian Government, Hobart

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FILM

HOW ENDO SPARKED A FILM CAREER Interview: Stephanie Williams Pictures: Sophia Bender Sophia Bender is a Tasmanian filmmaker and recently released a short film, Endo Girl, about living with endometriosis. What drove you to make Endo Girl? There’s a lot that endometriosis has taken from my life. It’s affected my intimate relationships, my body image, my ability to work, to attend university and the general fear I have for the future about my ability to have children. It’s a lot to take on board, especially knowing there’s no easy answer, how unpredictable the disease is and of course that there is no cure. But my story is just the same as one in nine women and those that identify as gender diverse worldwide. That’s about 200 million women. It takes on average 7-12 years to diagnose, can only be diagnosed through an invasive laparoscopy surgery, and costs the Australian society 9.7 billion dollars annually. Three years ago, feeling completely helpless about the situation, I decided it was time to do something about it. As a filmmaker I believe I have the power to make a difference through using my voice through the power medium of film. I don’t want us to suffer in silence anymore, I don’t want us to feel alone, and I don’t want to have to explain my disease to on average 50 percent of people I tell. I’m sure a lot of you out there today can relate! I didn’t want to feel guilt and shame about something that was out of my control, but most importantly I wanted to start a conversation, to give myself and the other 200 million women worldwide a voice. This is where Endo Girl began. Whilst endometriosis has taken so much from my life, this film has given me more back than I could have ever imagined. Why do you think it’s still so challenging for women to get a diagnosis? There are 42

many factors that contribute toward the delayed diagnosis of endometriosis. The first one being the wide range of symptoms that endometriosis can cause and vastly differ from patient to patient. With me for example, my main areas that are affected are my bowel, bladder and fatigue meaning that a lot of my symptoms don’t always correlate to my period itself. I was misdiagnosed for many years with irritable bowel syndrome. Many patients’ mothers also experienced undiagnosed endometriosis themselves and were taught from earlier generations that period pain was normal, not talk about it and it’s something you simply had to endure. There’s also not enough education in schools teaching students that period pain is not normal and if they are suffering they should seek medical advice. Many patients are often told that the pain is all in their heads, because the disease is invisible to scans (unless you are presenting with an extreme endometriosis which can sometimes be picked up on an ultrasound). So there is this feeling of constantly being turned away saying there is nothing medically wrong with you and all your test results are presenting perfectly. This also has a huge affect on your mental health. The only way to have an official diagnosis is to have an invasive laparoscopy

surgery, which for many people is out of reach due to the financial burden through both the surgery cost and the loss of productivity that follows from surgery. Are you a filmmaker by trade or is this new for you? I have been creating films for the last 9 years. I turned to filmmaking when I was studying ballet at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). I was suffering from many injuries alongside undiagnosed endometriosis at the time when I discovered film as a creative outlet through my choreography classes while I was injured. My career path changed very dramatically when the head of WAAPA dance at the time, Nanette Hassall, told me I should audition for film schools. At the time this seemed bizarre having dedicated my entire life to achieving the goal of being a professional ballet dancer. I was lucky enough to then be one of 17 people accepted into The Victorian College of the Arts for Film and TV the following year, this then led me onto working with The Australian Ballet as one of their filmmakers for three years upon graduating. I think it’s safe to say transitioning to film was the best decision I’ve ever made and I’m forever grateful to Nanette’s advice who changed the course of my life for the better.

What is your goal for Endo Girl? For me success looks like a day when everyone knows what endometriosis is. I want Endo Warriors to feel empowered by the film and know that they’re not alone, there are in fact 200 million women like them and we are all fighting the same battle.

$9 donations, with the money raised going to Endometriosis Australia going towards medical research and education. We have chosen the number nine for the one in nine women and those that identify as gender diverse who suffer with Endometriosis.

It’s been so overwhelming and exciting to see how many women are coming forward and speaking up since watching the film. They have been messaging me their stories as well as sharing them online after watching the film. During the Q&A session at the premiere at the State Cinema, we had a number of women who felt empowered enough to share their stories through sobbing tears in a room of 150 people. For me this was not only overwhelming but incredibly validating that the impact the film has on these women made them feel brave enough to do this. It meant we had in many ways achieved what the film had set out to do.

Where can readers watch Endo Girl and find out more about endometriosis? You can view Endo Girl as well as our 9 to Shine Campaign at www.sophiabenderfilms.com/endogirl. You can find out more about Endometriosis at Endometriosis Australia, www.endometriosisaustralia.org

I always knew when I created Endo Girl I wanted to create awareness for this insidious disease, help educate society and show the one in nine women and those that identify as gender diverse world wide that they are not alone. However, in the last few weeks leading up to the release of the film I realised that my journey was not over yet. Alongside the release of the film we have launched a campaign called 9 to Shine for Endometriosis. We have a very ambitious goal of aiming to raise $9 Million dollars in 99 days through

Sophia on set.

Film stills: Pippa Samaya. 43

PSYCHOLOGY

Words: Annia Baron “I just want to be happy.” Imagine getting everything you ever wanted, anytime you wanted it – instantly. How amazing would that be? Keen on a successful career? No need to climb the ladder, you’re handed the keys to the executive office. A desire to travel the world again? “Welcome aboard.” Suddenly you’re greeted at the terminal with a glass of champagne. Seeking the man or woman of your dreams? Well don’t you worry, they’re waiting for you right behind door number one. House, car, money, possessions, weight loss, entertainment? Whatever you want, it’s yours the moment you want it. No need to work for it. No need to try. Your reward is more instant than downloading an app. Ah pure happiness, right? There’s nothing wrong with wanting quick and easy dopamine hits. We deserve the convenience of instant satisfaction – especially with all the stresses and strains of daily living. And seriously, how great is it to have the technology and resources to get what we want. Keen to hear a song? Seeking an answer? Have a craving to satisfy? Bam – Spotify, Google, and Uber Eats. Gratification made easy. Our magnificent brain is biologically wired to seek pleasure and satisfaction over anything arduous or time consuming. Why wouldn’t we choose orgasms over work? Why wouldn’t we select the decadent dessert over raw celery sticks? We do so because our brain wants us to experience happiness. The happier and more satisfied we are, the better chances of our survival. But here’s the sticky point you’re already familiar with: Whether it’s sex, food, alcohol, drugs, purchasing, or consumption, after the initial ecstasy-frenzied hit, successive gains and overuse can leave you feeling gross; big highs to begin with, empty lows you’re left with. And this isn’t because your brain is punishing you. It absolutely loves you. It wants to see you thrive as your happiest self. It knows, though, that at the end of the day, if all you did was claim your ‘instants’, you’d seemingly have it all, but be left with a perpetual sense of dissatisfaction. Because my friends, you and I know that some of the happiest and most meaningful experiences you’ve ever had, involved a lot more than the immediacy of downloading an instant reward. To the contrary, your most enriching experiences required time, thought, and effort. Whether it was the smile on your face as you threw your 44

mortarboard in the air on graduation day or the moment you saw your partner walking down the aisle. Whether it was receiving news of your promotion, the one you earnestly worked for, or the first day you stepped outside onto a beach after recovering from a long illness. Whether freeing yourself from debt or finally reaching your healthy weight goal. Memorable and rewarding experiences took days, months, and years to culminate. They took perseverance, patience, and courage to keep on your path. That’s why they remain most poignant in your mind over anything that was instantaneous and effort free. Yes, some days I wish things were as easy as the click of a button. And absolutely, I enjoy instant rewards (regularly!) but cultivating a good balance is key. As dopamine is released each time we feel a sense of achievement (or anticipate it), it makes perfect sense that the more you feel you’ve earned a reward, the more rewarding the experience is. In essence, effort itself is what makes the reward experience so deeply satisfying, pleasurable and addictively meaningful - now that’s the best sort of dopamine party there is! If you’d like more information or curious about mindset coaching, visit www.remindyourself.com or contact Annia Baron, Mindset Coach and Clinical Psychologist on 0402 448 278.

Did you know that dopamine is deadly to snails and slugs? As dopamine is a diuretic (or more specifically, its precursor L-Dopa is), if these slimy beauties consume it (from plants such as yellow bananas or some marine algae, which also contain dopamine), they’ll secrete fluid and dry out. But before you go about eating all the bananas or algae you can get your hands on, know that pure dopamine can’t cross our blood-brain barrier, it’s the precursors (tyrosine, phenylalanine, and L-Dopa) that produce dopamine and many foods contain these. Go research some for yourself.

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HISTORY

The Searchlight Bunker.

RECHARGE YOUR BATTERIES: HOBART’S HIDDEN HISTORY Words and pictures: Peter Carey

I’ve always been fascinated by historic structures around Hobart which epitomise our earliest settlement, and none so much as the Alexandra Battery in Lower Sandy Bay and the Kangaroo Battery on Bellerive Bluff. I remember occasionally exploring both through a child’s eyes on Sunday family drives. Their well carved and stacked sandstone structures still fascinate me today. I was impressed with a locally produced television series The Gloaming, the brainchild of screen writer and producer Vicki Madden. As well as skilfully utilising many iconic Tasmanian locales; she included the Alexandra site as a shooting location, depicting it as a fictional crime scene. Situated at the southern end of Churchill Ave and deeply embedded into lush grassland, commanding some spectacular views across the Derwent Estuary, the Alexandra site was built in the 1880s and housed four artillery guns, intended for the defence of Hobart Town and yet never a shot was fired in anger. Today it still offers visitors the opportunity to explore this magnificent example of Victorian architecture; a network of trenches, tunnels, stores and four gun turrets for those immensely fascinated by our history; or just simply a place for fun loving youngsters to enjoy a game of hide and seek with a unique difference.

The Kangaroo Battery on Bellerive Bluff.

albeit not in quite such pristine condition, is The Searchlight, just below the Alexandra site near the Blinking Billy Lighthouse. It was first drawn to my intention as a primary school student back in the late 1960’s on an excursion to a beach. Our destination was an area called the John Garret Shoal around the southern point from Long Beach. The objective on that occasion being scientific; namely to collect and identify shells; there was no historical theme in play. Notwithstanding this, some of us spotted this relatively strange structure and assumed it to be a tunnel; with no speculation of how far it might extend or what its function might, or might have been. Of course, I subsequently discovered this to be a bunker-styled structure. Built around 1890 and by the clever use of hurricane lamps and mirrors, it was, by modern standards, a rather rudimentary, albeit very creative, means of lighting up the harbour for navigational purposes. It is believed to have remained in use for the best part of fifty years up until World War 2. So, if you like our history, these are great locales to check out and appreciate the many structural and logistical achievements of our colonial predecessors.

Another crucial part of the defence infrastructure of the time, the Kangaroo Battery on Bellerive Bluff played its own special role in the defence of the port in the event of unwelcome visitors. It too has four gun turrets, two of which still house the guns; no longer operational of course. It’s also known to have been a backdrop with a few lower budget period shorts such as Little Lamb, written by Heidi Leigh Douglas; shot in 2012 and which has received a whole myriad of awards on the international film circuit. Another structure, 46

The Alexandra Stores.

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COMMUNITY

DOES CRIME EVER PAY? ANONYMOUS TIP OFFS HELP SOLVE LOCAL CRIMES Words: David Daniels OAM

Snitches get the riches.

David Daniels OAM is the Chairman of Crime Stoppers Tasmania. Crime is a sad fact in cities, towns and regions everywhere, bringing distress, loss and even violence to innocent locals. It’s not just a policing issue. It’s a community issue too; and in over 25 years of operation, Crime Stoppers Tasmania has helped in countering crime in this state. Our Police do a wonderful job in crime fighting. But in solving crime, Police face hurdles that Crime Stoppers is designed to counter. We’re a conduit between Tasmania Police and the community, while maintaining the anonymity of those who provide information. Crime Stoppers Tasmania operates as an independent non-profit, community organisation that supports crime solving through providing anonymous mechanisms for reporting crime. It is part of an international program that has been in existence for over forty years. A valuable tip received last year proved to be a key to solving a local murder, resulting in a reward payment to the tipster. The information provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers, helped to close investigations quicker, and alleviated some of the terrible stress endured by loved ones and the community. This is where the real community value in the program lies. 48

Crime Stoppers combats the three major problems faced by the police in generating crime-solving information: fear of reprisal, apathy and reluctance to get involved. Crime Stoppers resolves these problems by not asking tipsters to identify themselves, and not tracing calls or IP addresses for online reports. We also offer rewards if the information provided leads to the charging or arrest of offenders, the recovery of stolen property or the seizure of drugs. Rewards can be an added incentive for people to contact us while other community members simply want to play their part. If you make an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers about suspicious activity in your community, or what you saw when a crime was being planned or committed, the next you may know about it could be when the media report an arrest. Tipsters can’t always see evidence of their information being followed up, but all tips are passed on to the police. Crime Stoppers Tasmania has also recently been acknowledged by Crime Stoppers International for local campaigns, and the number of anonymous reports to Crime Stoppers Tasmania are growing. In fact, reports have more than doubled in the five years to 2019. Want to help but stay on the quiet? Speak up to Crime Stoppers Tasmania on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestopperstas.com.au

In addition to the recent murder, there is a wide range of crimes that Tasmanians have provided information on which has been key to investigations. • Seizure of 104 cannabis plants and eight firearms from a rural property, leading to one offender being arrested and charged. • Information received regarding suspicious activity at a remote location, with numerous people coming and going from the residence. A Police search located $36,000 in cash and 19 packets of dried cannabis. • Information about a false report to Police where a serious crime had been committed. As a result, Police changed the direction of their investigation and were able to charge the offenders involved. • The Crime Stoppers Operation Roam campaign put one of Australia’s most wanted fugitives behind bars. Samuel Terrance McGovern was located at a Tasmanian shopping centre McGovern was arrested and extradited to NSW. It’s important that tips to Crime Stoppers contain as much detail as possible. Sometimes it is something small that helps provide police with a missing link or vital piece of evidence.

INTRODUCING

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TRAVEL

Walk along Cape Hauy.

TREKKING THE THREE CAPES TRACK THREE WAYS Words: Sarah Aitken Pictures: Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service With various interstate trips vanishing before her eyes thanks to covid-induced border closures, Sarah Aitken booked herself in to hike the world-class Three Capes Track within the Tasman National Park on the Tasman Peninsula. Her legs are still recovering. All the cliches come to mind when I try to describe my experience on the Three Capes Track - the now famous walk along some of Australia’s highest dolorite cliffs. But they are all true. For example, it really was breathtaking, in more ways than one. The views were very excellent and looking over the many dramatic cliff edges in the wind repeatedly took my breath 50

away...as did the hundreds of (beautifully constructed) steps on the final day. The track winds through 48km of constantly changing scenery – from beaches to clifftops, from windswept heath to fungi-filled rainforest, ending at stunning Fortescue Bay for a well-deserved and rather chilly swim. Many of us spotted seals, snakes, rare orchids and more along the way. To be so far from everyday life yet so close to Hobart was a total treat and I highly recommend booking in to do the walk now while numbers are capped.

Relax as you watch the kids wander near the track edges...

Munro Cabin. Pic: Jesse Desjardins

Depending on your budget, ability and penchant for camping (or not!), there are three ways you can walk the Three Capes Track. Kids can walk too - any bookings for kids under 18 must be with an adult, and if you want to take a bubby under 3 you need to phone to book. There is a max of two bubbies a day. 1. Parks and Wildlife Service The first, and the one we chose, was through Parks. For $495 you get comfy beds in well-designed huts, excellent kitchens, beautiful settings, a host ranger who’ll try their best to answer your obscure flora and fauna questions, and of course access to the seriously well-maintained tracks which you’ll share with a limited number of other walkers. You’re given a well-produced story book to enhance the experience and there’s even a shower at the middle hut. You also take a 1.5 hour Pennicott boat tour from Port Arthur to the start of the walk and a bus ride back from Fortescue Bay to Port Arthur. 2. Do It Yourself If you want to begin the walk at Denman’s Cove, stay in huts, and do the entire walk then you do need to book in with one of

Smell the fragrant Kunzea.

the above options. But you can do most of the walk and camp at separate camp grounds for just the price for parks entry. Beginning at Fortescue Bay, you can walk to Cape Pillar and back or add a loop to include Cape Hauy, spending your nights camping at the Wughalee campsite within the National Park. These options are either 29km return or a 34km circuit. You’ll need a valid Parks Pass and you’ll need to bring everything with you. 3. Tas Walking Co This boutique business have their own huts, completely separate from the Parks site, and they’ll pick you up from and return you to the Hobart waterfront. Costs start at $3,095. You take a private boat trip to the starting point. You’ll be fully guided on the walk, with a bit more flexibility in how much or how little walking you’re feeling up to. Then you’ll have access to hot showers or even a bath at the fully private deluxe huts before being served a three course meal each night, with wine. For more info head to: www.threecapestrack.com.au and www. taswalkingco.com.au/three-capes-lodge-walk/ 51

AUTUMN

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TRAVEL

Black gold.

Adam and truffle dog Trigger.

TRUFFLE-HUNTING IN TASMANIA Words and pictures: Amanda Double

At the special Q&A launch screening of The Truffle Hunters documentary recently at Hobart’s State Cinema, welcome memories of truffle hunts flooded back. Directors Michael Dweck and Gregory Kershaw, who were fascinated by a group of aging men in the Piedmont region of northern Italy who hunt deep in the forests for the rare white Alba truffles, have made a beautiful study of these men and their beloved companions, the clever truffle dogs so indispensable to this way of life. This screening was enhanced by the presence of Ina and Timothy from Tasmanian truffle farm The Truffledore, and their own friendly truffle dog, Cody. It threw me back to August last year and my first excursion out of lockdown. Truffle hunting - not in 54

Italy or France, but in Lower Barrington, near Sheffield, at The Truffledore where Ina and Tim farm Périgord black truffles - also known as Tuber melanosporum, or the “black diamond”. Ina Ansmann (a marine biologist/zoologist by trade, originally from Germany) and Timothy Noonan (a Queenslander who has worked as a paramedic) took on this truffle farm and business in early 2019, after falling in love with it at first sight. In June last year, following lockdown easings, they were able to open their doors just in time for the winter truffle season from June to the end of August, for their four-hour Hunt and Harvest Tour. Although their new life has been a bit of a learning curve for them both, they have rel-

ished the challenge, and have been gradually training truffle dog Cody. For my tour, however, Ina was accompanied by expert truffle harvester Adam and his seasoned truffle dog Trigger, while Tim was busy in the kitchen with preparations for the four-course feast to follow. Legendary French epicure and gastronome Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin (for whom a cheese was later named) called the truffle “the very diamond of gastronomy”. Presumably because of its incomparable aroma and taste, but also its rarity and expense. Our small group gathered by the roaring fire for a fortifying mulled wine before donning a pair of gumboots from the huge house selection (worn to minimise soil biosecurity risk) and entering the truffière. Oak

trees greeted us in neat rows, while we were introduced to the art of dog handling and harvesting. A good truffle dog is worth his weight in, well, truffles – needing not only a good nose, but also the ability to walk up and down rows of trees and ignore tempting distractions. And unlike the truffle pigs of old, these dogs don’t want to actually eat the truffles – just the food reward they get for each truffle they find. Almost immediately, Trigger sniffed out a truffle buried in the soil just below the surface, not far from the roots of an oak tree. He started to scratch the earth gently, and Adam rewarded him while using a small pick and a gloved hand to ease out our first black truffle. At first glance it was an unprepossessing-looking little nugget, but we all took the

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chance to sniff it as it was passed around. I felt almost lightheaded. For me, truffles have always evoked a sort of slow, sensual rapture. For a start, I adore their distinctive scent. And when I eat truffle in some delicious form, I feel like I’m chiefly devouring its scent. I am briefly transported. My partner, on the other hand, will admit only to mildly enjoying them as a not-too-heavy-handed component of a fine meal. Trigger, nose down, found more and more truffles as we followed excitedly, thrilled when a couple of bigger specimens were unearthed. Sniffing the soil where a truffle had nested, we discovered that the pungent aroma remains for some time. The winter sun felt like a benevolent blessing as we meandered amongst the oak trees. After a couple of hours it was time to head back to the Truffledore, for a long-table lunch to taste some of our freshly-harvested spoils. With impeccable timing, we were sitting cosily by the fire with a celebratory drink by the time the rain started. Our four courses included asparagus topped with cured egg yolk (or feta if preferred), truffle oil, and hazelnut dukkah; followed by a delectable soup of porcini and other mushrooms with truffle, and Ina’s potato bread; Tim’s homemade truffle pasta with crunchy hazelnut topping; and a truffle-flavoured creme brûlée for dessert. All delicious.

How to describe the distinctive truffle taste? According to writer Peter Mayle: “The flavour of a truffle is the continuation of its scent, complex and earthy, neither mushroom nor meat, but something in between. It tastes, more than anything else I know, of the outdoors.” The Truffledore includes a Farmstay option with two cottages available, or you could stay at the Glencoe Country Bed and Breakfast nearby. After such a feast, all we wanted to do was fall into bed; dinner was definitely not required. In this time of closed international borders, we were once again reminded: the best adventures can often be had in our own backyard.

The Truffledore, Lower Barrington: Hunt and Harvest Tours, June-August, 12-4pm https://truffledore.com.au/

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HISTORY

How Whale Blubber Built Sandstone Salamanca Words: Zilla Gordon

Pictures: Tasmanian Archives

If you took a stroll through Salamanca at the turn of the 19th century, you would have been greeted with the putrid smell of chunks of whale blubber, rendered down in cast-iron pots called try-pots; a far cry from the modern cocktail scene today. But it was those gruesome sights that shaped the city - because Hobart was built on a whale’s back. While Hobart’s whaling history may go back to the time of the first European settlement, it was around the 1840s to 1880s that the industry entered what historians say was a golden age. And a warning, gruesome tales ahead. WHALES TURN TIMID Whales were once abundant in Hobart’s estuaries, in fact, clergyman and avid dairy-keeper, Robert Knopwood said in 1804 that the animals were a hazard. “We passed so many whales that it was dangerous for the boat to go up the river unless you kept very near the shore,” he said.

A penguin perched on the upturned belly of a deceased whale.

The Flying Childers.

Because whale oil was used to light Hobart’s streets and homes, the demand for the animals continued to increase. “At that point, the owners of the whale stations thought the whales were getting ‘shy’,” historian and researcher Michael Stoddart said. “In fact, what they meant was they’d butchered all the whales that came close to the shore, and the whales were all too far out to sea to make this shore-based station hunting work.” The golden age transformed the waterfront and masses of whaling ships were built, designed and moored in Hobart. “There were shipyards all over the place building these ships,” Michael said. Hobart created such a name for itself, ships from America were lining up for a mooring. The abundance of whale oil even drew British and Portuguese ships to Hobart, and these ships meant money. “In 1838 it’s said that more money came into the state treasury from whaling than from any other primary industry,” Michael said. “All the agricultural exports, put them all together, and they didn’t equal the amount of money that came in from the sale of whale oil.” And all that money allowed for the constructions of some of Hobart’s finest buildings. A CITY OF GRANDEUR The Lenna of Hobart Hotel was owned by the successful whaling 58

family the McGregors. “At the top of the old house, there’s a lookout - a clerestory - that he built so he could walk up and look at his ships coming up the estuary,” Michael said. “He’d go up there with his binoculars or his telescope and he’d wait for his ships to reappear. You’d say goodbye to your ship and in a yearand-a-half, you might see it again.” Patriarch Alexander McGregor owned the prized whaling ship The Flying Childers, named after a Launceston racehorse, which made nearly 40 trips in its lifetime and sometimes spent up to a year-and-a-half out at sea. “It never came back without its hull being full of oil,” Michael said.”

Returning from the hunt.

A HARD DAY’S WORK Rather than a restaurant, Maldini was originally an iron foundry, and the stretch of sandstone buildings housed blacksmiths and ropemakers. And perhaps more importantly, there were lots of pubs. “The crew left the ships like rats from a sinking ship and just headed for the pubs,” Michael said. They frequented an area around a wharf at Hunter Street, known as Wapping: which also offered brothels, drinking halls and boarding houses - and boasted a rough reputation. But the on-shore frivolities were a stark contrast to their back-breaking work. The golden age was really quite miserable. “A great many men were killed leaving orphaned children,” Michael said. On the water, whalers would pursue the animal in small wooden boats which were often damaged during the chase. “A lot of whales would smash them with their tails,” Michael said. “They’d be six boats out, maybe chasing one whale - they’d be rowing for an hour.” Killing the whale was only half the battle with the animal then dragged back to the ship. “It could be eight hours of doing nothing but rowing your boat,” Michael said. “And there might have been a chunk taken out of the side of the boat, so not only were they rowing, but they were also bailing like mad to stop them from sinking.” The deceased whale would be tied up alongside the ship, and mounds of blubber would be hauled up by a pulley and dropped into the try-pot and the oil then rendered, all while out at sea. The rest of the whale would be cut adrift.

END OF AN ERA By the end of the 1890s, things had changed. Whales were very difficult to catch, even for ships that had headed far out to sea. “That was it, Hobart’s whaling industry was over,” Michael said. So whaling ships were converted to cargo ships and instead carried Tasmania’s apples across to the mainland. Whaling returned briefly in the 20th century when Norwegian ships used Hobart as a base to head further south to Antarctica to hunt for blue whales from around the 1920s to the 1930s. The ships’ arrival offered jobs for around 200 men and there were records of boys as young as 16 years old being employed. “One lied about his age because they wouldn’t take them as young as 16,” Michael said. “But the majority of them were in their very early 20s. These young men went off for the adventure of a lifetime, not really knowing that they were being involved in the destruction of the Earth’s stocks of blue whales.” So successful was the Norwegian whaling industry that by the Second World War “there was hardly a blue whale to be had”, according to Michael. “Maybe there’s about one-tenth of the blue whales left in the world that there was in the 1920s when the young Tasmanian boys went south. “But the fact was, the world needed whale oil, and it was their job to deliver it.” Today remnants of whaling’s golden age can still be found in Salamanca’s buildings, Michael said. “Look up and you’ll see some of them have still got pulleys… so that platforms could be raised and lowered, and barrels of oil stored in the buildings.” 59

OPINION

MAKING FRIENDS WITH WINE... Words: Dr. Maenka Arora

Drenched in euphoric excitement of being in my adopted country I began afresh my journey of finding me some mates. Like Alice in Wonderland, I stumbled onto the tellurian realm of wine snobs, a world where everyone pretends to be an expert on wine. There’s pompous theatrics, brilliant showmanship when opening the bottle, the twirling that rivals a ballerina, the sniffing, and of course the eternal dilemma - to drink or to spit. Like a sweet little lamb, I was completely enamoured by this whole elaborate production. Sitting on the sidelines, I felt honoured to just be a part of it even, if only as an awed spectator. To give you background, we often celebrate the fact that the world of wine is international and ubiquitous, but from my slightly myopic Indian point of view – the world of wine is still at a nascent stage there. The choice of our tipple is still the hard liquor. A goblet of wine is still an elite drink to be sipped on special gatherings. Rumor has it, missionary zeal is required to make a quantum change so I dive head on to cultivate and enlighten myself to be crowned a true connoisseur of wine except, the esoteric descriptions I found online had my head spinning. To elucidate, here’s one up for grabs - “this wine might be called liquefied Viagra. An incredibly sexy nose of smoke, black fruits, cappuccino and tasty wood and is followed by an expansive, terrifically concentrated wine with sumptuous texture, no hard edges.” For heaven’s sake, what does this mean … is wine the new Viagra? Nose of smoke?? No hard edges??? Am I still on earth???? I seemed to be experiencing 60

some deep existential crisis. I baulked with a mixture of shock and aggravation at the nonsensical way the character of poor wine was described. Realisation that I was way out of my depth descended like a shadowy cloak and in that long poignant moment I decided to get a crash course straight from horse’s mouth, the spell-binding, the spine-tingling, the ever so mystical, most revered ‘THE WINE TASTING’. With a steely resort of a zealot, armed with all the wine jargon I could cram and a magical cloak of Google, I marched triumphantly towards my goal of being crowned ‘the queen connoisseur of wine’.

I guess wine and I suffer from a Shakespearean relationship bordering on Greek tragedy. Then and there an inevitable, monumental decision was made, no spitting only drinking.

I have dined on this story so often that the embarrassment I felt at the time has since thankfully, abated. I went through the whole shebang of wine tasting with twinkly eyes and excessive nodding, I was observant, I was diligent, I studied the label, swirled the glass, sniffed and finally sipped. The lunacy of my plan became apparent when the sommelier asked me: So, what do you taste? Like an eager beaver trying to impress the teacher, I opened my mouth and lo-and-behold, nothing came out. That very instant my memory deserted me, my grey matter turned to mush. In that moment I could relate more to Julius Caesar than to my family. With betrayal so evident, I am sweating by litres, hyperventilating and I stammer, “I....I....I taste WINE”. She laughed, my husband laughed, my friends laughed even the itsy bitsy spider laughed. I was doomed. Well,

Herbaceous - Best left to the garden. Or a way to describe that attractive “cut grass” quality, usually found in Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc.

On our way back my hubby complained that I stank of wine and I said NO – I smell of cherry with a hint of oak. He laughed. Wine Slang: Don’t Be A Cork Dork Good legs - Hopefully the person you’re drinking with. At very worst, a wine with a high alcohol content.

Quaffable - if something is acceptable drinking at home from Monday night through to Thursday night. Puckery - Like sucking on a lemon. Describes highly tannic and very dry wines, like all the moisture is being sucked out. Donut wine - Wine that’s lacking in structure mid-palate. Oaky - It’s just ok. Waiter’s friend - Someone who turns up to a bar, just before closing ready for ‘staffies’. Or a popular type of corkscrew.

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