The Hobart Magazine January 2024

INDEPENDENT + LOCAL

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HOBART LAUNCESTON + BEYOND

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LAUREN PERRY

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THE HOBART MAGAZINE / JANUARY 2024: ISSUE 54

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TA S S I

A CHANGE IN DISTANCE SIGNALS NEW CYCLING OPPORTUNITIES

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Publisher Stephanie Williams editor@thehobartmagazine.com.au

WELCOME TO

THE HOBART MAGAZINE Welcome to 2024! May you enjoy a long and lovely summer season filled with afternoon swims, fresh Tassie berries and stonefruits, catch ups with friends and family, and lots of rest and rejuvenation.

This month Tasmanian cyclist Lauren Perry shares her excitement to be back home for this year after a year in Spain, we find out what makes a good blueberry and have expanded the events we’re showcasing on the calendar this month - to four whole pages of fun to be had across the state.

If you have someone you think

we need to feature in 2024, get in touch today. Email editor@ thehobartmagazine.com.au and we’ll take a look.

We look forward to bringing you stories about and from some of the incredible people and places that make our state amazing.

Lets go 2024!

All the best, Steph, James and The Hobart Magazine team

Advertising advertise@thehobartmagazine.com.au 03 6295 3742 Cover image: Lauren Perry in her UAE Development Squad kit. Pic supplied This page: Heritage Sailing Tasmania 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, feedback or submissions, email editor@thehobartmagazine.com.au.

The Hobart Magazine acknowledges the Tasmanian Aboriginal People as the Traditional Owners and ongoing custodians of lutruwita/Tasmania. We pay our respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and to their Elders past, present and emerging. www.thehobartmagazine.com.au

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LOCAL PEOPLE

CARMEN BURNS Interview: Peta Hen Chasing your dream career later in life can be daunting. Launceston lawyer, Carmen Burns, pivoted from an award-winning beauty career to pursuing her passion for law as a mature-aged student.

Where did you grow up and where do you live now? My parents separated, so I grew up in Kingston when I was living with my father, and Cherrybrook and Richmond in New South Wales when I was living with my mother. I now live in Launceston. I’ve always considered Tasmania my home.

Tell us a little about your work. I’m a family lawyer. Currently, I work in a specialised area providing legal assistance to victims/survivors of family violence and/or sexual abuse, and those who have been misidentified as the primary aggressor in family violence matters. I also provide legal assistance around parenting and child safety matters. I work for SiS Tasmania which is part of the Tasmanian Aboriginal Legal Service, providing both legal and non-legal support. SiS Tasmania also runs educational programs within the community, recognising and understanding family violence, healthy relationships, and cultural safety. It’s great to be able to work with people around knowledge and prevention too.

What inspired your interest in law and working with the community? My passion for family law came from my upbringing, having separated parents and wanting to be able to help navigate that process for other families and children.

While I started my career in private practice, I undertook mainly Legal Aid work as everyone deserves legal assistance, especially through the emotional family law process. It then seemed like a natural progression to move into a community legal service where I felt I could make more of a difference.

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You originally came from the beauty industry. Tell us about the journey to becoming a lawyer. I was an award-winning nail technician and worked in that industry for around 13 years, so it was a big call to leave that behind and go back to studying. I’d always wanted to become a lawyer and when I met my husband, Simon, who fully supported my decision and encouraged me, I knew it was time. I enrolled at university as a mature age student at around 30 years old. Admittedly, it was a little daunting as everyone else was so much younger than me, but I was determined.

What challenges did you face studying as a mature-age student? I had to work a lot harder than the younger students, as I was retraining my brain after years of not studying. I also struggled a little with all the online unit choices and signups for tutorials, as it was the quick or the dead to get the best tutorial spots. You could always count on a system crash on tutorial enrolment day, and this was the hot topic for much-disgruntled discussion.

What advice would you have for others who are thinking about going back to uni as a mature-age student? Do it! It may be a little daunting at first, but you have totally got this, and you will get into the swing of things quickly. Life is too short to look back and regret what you did not do.

What do you love doing outside work?

Studying apparently! I also have a Graduate Diploma in Family Dispute Resolution Practice and am currently doing my Masters in Applied Family Law. I find it hard to switch off and relax and have found the best thing to help me with this is anything crafty. I’m currently into making junk journals and absolutely love it.

Who do you admire? This may seem soppy, but I admire my husband, Simon. He has inspired, encouraged and supported me to be the person I am today. This has sometimes been through extremely tough times including him having cancer for a second time and losing family members too early, also to cancer.

Favourite podcast or TV show? I love anything that links back to historical drama like The Tudors, Reign and The Serpent Queen.

Secret vice? Online shopping. Although not so secret when the packages arrive lol!

What are you reading now? Stephen King’s The Stand.

Do you have any pets? I have four cats and a dog, and they definitely keep me on my toes.

What was your first job? I worked at McDonalds.

What are your daily news/social media habits? I love to mindlessly scroll through Facebook and Instagram to decompress.

Your favourite place for…

Breakfast: I’m not a big breakfast person.

Lunch: Mudbar, Launceston.

Dinner: Cataract on Paterson, Launceston.

Favourite team? Milwaukee Brewers - Baseball.

Dream holiday destination? I would love to go to Paris or Japan.

Favourite Tasmanian secret? Not sure if it is such a secret, but the Little Blue Lake; it’s so beautiful!

Parting words? Don’t put off to tomorrow what you can do today.

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LOCAL PEOPLE

TRICKY WALSH Interview: Stephanie Williams From Moe to New Norfolk, Tricky Walsh’s latest art is on display as part of Hobart Current: Epoch. an exhibition of contemporary works currently showing at TMAG Where did you grow up and where do you live now? I was born in Moe, in the Latrobe Valley in Victoria and moved to Tasmania 23 years ago. I live and work in New Norfolk now, on big river country.

Tell us a little about your work. I work across media, so sometimes that is sculpture, sometimes painting, sometimes other things. It’s been a pretty heavy painting year though. Mostly my work is speculative in nature, so it uses the platform of science fiction to overlay other concerns on top of. I find this offers a degree of comforting distance to audiences to then perhaps, offer them a dialogue with more contentious or difficult ideas. I use bright colours in much the same way, as a kind of anti-camouflage. Everything, if it must be hidden, is hidden in plain sight. I also use augmented reality to give a secondary or deeper insight into the context of a work or a narrative. Everything I do is a bit maximalist though, so more layers = fun for me.

You’re currently exhibiting as part of Hobart Current: Epoch. What have you created for the exhibit? It’s a piece called The Weight of Things. There was a theory floating around by a physicist in the UK (Melvin Vopson) who proposed that dark matter might constitute what this thing is that we call information.

That it might have a physical mass which can be measured and that at the current rate of production, we would increase the mass of the planet by half again in a couple of centuries. It’s an evocative idea.

I have used it as the seed for the work, about living on a planet so compulsively obsessed by information, making it so fundamental to our lives that eventually, after a few key things, we are able to collectively access all the information in the world. In my optimistic worldview, 8

I am hoping that this might lead to the development of collective empathy. I think that most of our fear is governed by our ignorance. That when you can see the whole story it becomes impossible to stay neutral or ambivalent.

Tell us about the Haus of Vovo in New Norfolk. Haus of Vovo has been a curatorial experiment of mine for the last couple of years inside the building I share with fellow artist Mish Meijers, which has exhibited some really wonderful artists and their works. Focusing mostly on art which either is, or which is framed within the idea of installation practice, which is to say, something spatially transformative, something which allows the audience to inhabit an immersive space with art.

What do you love doing outside of work? For the last while I haven’t done much except work, to be honest. But I like walking, especially in nature. I like the pace of that kind of traverse. I like slowing time down whenever I can. It goes far too fast at the moment.

Who do you admire? Anyone who means what they say and intends to leave the world a little better than they way they found it.

Favourite podcast or tv show? I don’t podcast. I always get recommended them, and it’s time to publicly come clean. I never listen to them. I make lists of suggestions and when I can’t stand to look at the lists anymore, I throw them in the bin.

I don’t like disembodied voices unless they’re on radio.

Secret vice? Lol. I don’t have any secrets. Vices, heaps. Poking sticks at trolls probably.

What are you reading now? A series called Binti by Nnedi Okorafor. I don’t have much time to read at the moment but they construct a world that I like inhabiting.

Do you have any pets? I have a cat called Puff, although she goes by many other names.

What was your first job? Proper job was in a bar in Geelong while I was studying.

It was genuinely awful. I got used to carrying a waiter’s friend at night on the walks home.

What are your daily news/social media habits? I look at the socials a lot. I subscribe to a lot of mailing lists and I check these (even though I know it is terrible for me) first thing in the morning, then intermittently throughout the day. My screen time is horrible.

Your favourite place for…

Breakfast: This is so cute that you assume I manage to leave the house.

Anywhere with good poached eggs.

Lunch: I genuinely don’t know. From my kitchen. I’m an artist. It’s probably toast.

Dinner: With friends.

Favourite team? Team Queer. Team loud af. Team not very many manners. This is such a genuinely hilarious question to me because of our innate need to be divisive and reductive. Honestly I just don’t bread and circus that often. Apart from anything else it will probably open up questions about that stadium we can’t afford in a city where our health care and education are tanking it, where the illiteracy rates are the highest in the country where we are still cutting down our own planetary lungs to make toilet paper and no news newspapers, where the tent city of homeless people are growing right there in St. David’s Park while buildings stay empty so that rich people can have tax cuts. Like, seriously what team is my favourite? I dunno. The one with the pretty colours?

Dream holiday destination? Iceland.

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BITS AND PIECES mond Seafoods (2 Weld St, Invermay) is now selling fresh, locally caught fish and seafood and operated by the Hammond family. The hot tip is there’ll be fish and chips on offer early this year.

NEW NEW NEW After some new skate, surf and streetwear? Stormriders (75 Liverpool Street, Hobart) will have you covered. It’s in the old Red Herring store, who have moved around the corner to 104 Elizabeth Street.

The much-anticipated pasta bar by the team from Fico opens on 12 January. Pitzi (4 Victoria Street, Hobart), is welcoming walk ins and bookings via their website.

Clennett’s Mitre 10 (6/8 Patrick St, Hobart) has brought hardware back to the CBD with the opening of their new city store. New Hobart real estate agency, Arkley & Co (3 Franklin St, Lindisfarne), have opened a brand new office in Lindisfarne. After more than 150 years on Liverpool Street, the Hobart Workers Club is now open in their new Elizabeth Street venue (Level 2, 74 Elizabeth St, Hobart).

Grab a reasonably priced meal, drinks and pool. They’re open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. If the rumours (and signage at the time of print) are true, the Victoria Tavern (30 Murray Street, Hobart) reopening is imminent - this time as a ground floor bar, with apartments above.

Also on the rumour mill, a DA lodged recently with the Hobart City Council for a refurbishment of the Elizabeth Street 10

Pier included a space for none other than Gelato Messina! Hello summer.

This month, get ready for the opening of The Lanterns in Dunalley. Stop off for seasonal organic food, Tassie goods and eco wares. While down that way, check out the new Premaydena Hill cellar door (Premaydena Hill, Premaydena). Beef farmers Daniel and Ella planted grapes a few years back, with the vineyard producing its first vintage of premium cool climate wine in 2021. The cellar door is open daily from 10am - 5pm. Easy Tiger Cinema (7 Pendrigh Place, St Helens) has added a beer garden and bar to their offering in time for summer. The Winnaleah Hotel (12 Main Street), about ten minutes drive from Derby, has undergone a big renovation. The result is a refreshed pub and is also now a base for arts retreats.

Open from 4pm Wednesday - Saturday.

Northern Public House (124 George Street, Launceston) has opened in the old O’Keefe’s building, by the team behind the Sports Garden Hotel. Think rooftop bar, classic pub fare, and DJs on the weekends. Australian brand RB Sellars (175/177 Charles St, Launceston) have opened their first Tasmanian store, selling a range of rural and workwear. Ham-

HONG KONG BOY BAND HELPING PROMOTE TASMANIA Mega Hong Kong boyband MIRROR have recently spent time in Tasmania filming a reality TV series. The band also spent time in Victoria. The 12 band members, along with 30 crew, flew into Hobart and travelled to the East Coast, staying at Spring Bay Mill in Triabunna.

Their itinerary included a road trip from Triabunna to Hobart via Richmond, visiting Hobart’s waterfront and kunanyi/ Mt Wellington. They tried local wine and oysters, did a Pennicott Tasman Island cruise and Par Avion scenic flight. Sounds like a good time! The visit was shared across the official MIRROR social media accounts, as well as the personal accounts of each band member, to a combined audience of 8.6 million. Tasmania will feature in five episodes of the MIRROR Time series, broadcast on a free-to-air Hong Kong channel with an average of 4 million viewers per month from Christmas Day onwards.

TOP TASSIE AFLW DRAFT PICKS Three stars of the Tasmanian Women’s AFL have been drafted nationally. Brooke Barwick, Mackenzie Ford and Georgia Clark have been placed into the AFLW top ten. Barwick is off to the Western Bulldogs, Ford heads to the Tigers and Clark is going to Collingwood.

Congratulations!

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BITS AND PIECES “This is a justice reinvestment initiative. Invest in youth before contact with the justice system and stop them from getting there in the first place. If money is invested here, to prevent and divert youth away from the justice system, our youth will be less likely to end up in detention or prison,” he said.

TAS AFL CLUB COMMUNITY EVENTS The Tasmania Football Club is hosting a bunch of community events for members of the public to ask questions and provide their input into the direction of the club. TFC Chair Grant O’Brien said Board members will be in attendance at all of the community events statewide.

Registrations are open for all events, but tickets are limited. The schedule includes a Hobart event in Moonah - to register your interest to attend go to www.lu.ma/ believe-tasmanian.

HOBART PHOENIX GAINS COUNCIL APPROVAL FOR EYES ON A NEW BASKETBALL STADIUM In a significant play for Hobart’s basketball community, the Hobart City Council unanimously approved a motion to consider the Hobart Phoenix Basketball Club’s proposal for a four-court stadium at Self’s Point, New Town.

Hobart Phoenix is one of the largest basketball clubs in Tasmania. However, a severe shortage of courts in the Hobart area and considerable growth in the sport risks players being turned away due to a lack of facilities.

The proposed location at 10 Selfs Point Road is currently on the lease held by Tasmanian Rugby Union (TRU). The land held under the current TRU lease provides the opportunity for a stadium development, on a parcel on underutilised land, that does not impact TRU’s use of the current playing fields. It promises a 12

win-win situation, offering additional amenities for TRU while addressing the urgent need for basketball facilities.

Hobart Phoenix President, Matt McIver, said the proposal will have huge benefits, not only for the club but for the wider Hobart community. “Basketball is one of the fastest growing sports in Tasmania, and this unique opportunity will deliver an inclusive, accessible and community-focused basketball facility for what is truly an equal gender and inclusive sport.

Although this is only the first step in the right direction, our club is very excited and grateful to Tasmanian Rugby Union for their support” Mr McIver said.

BRIDGEWATER YOUTH HUB ON THE WAY The Tasmanian Aboriginal Legal Service, Brighton Council and Australian Red Cross area teaming up to create a Youth Hub in Bridgewater. Tasmanian Aboriginal Legal Service (TALS) CEO Jake Smith said Hub’s objective will be to have a dedicated space for all 12-25 year-olds in the community and to ensure youth are supported away from the justice system by providing much needed wrap around supports in the community.

“The Hub will be for all the youth in the Bridgewater community, but there will also be a focus on Aboriginal youth,” Mr Smith said. “In Bridgewater, the Aboriginal population represents more than 20% of the community - compared to the Tasmanian population of 5%.”

Brighton Mayor Leigh Gray shared that this will be a significant and ground-breaking social infrastructure investment in the area to address current and future social needs of young people in our region. “Council will look at major infrastructure grant opportunities to make this happen and will now commence in earnest identifying a suitable location in the Bridgewater area,” Mayor Gray said. “Our vision is that the Hub is to be co-created, planned, services prioritised, and the spaces designed and managed by a steering committee with a representative from all of the main stakeholders including most importantly young members of our community.”

MUSIC WITHOUT FRONTIERS SAVED Iconic local music shop Music Without Frontiers (on Liverpool Street) looked set to close after the death of founder Stefan Markovitch. Luckily, DarkLab has stepped in to keep it open, integrating it with In The Hanging Garden next door.

The shop will continue largely unchanged and will be managed by Mel Stewart.

C E L E B R AT E AT C R O W N E P L A Z A H O B A R T !

T H E I D E A L D E S T I N AT I O N F O R YO U R N E X T C O R P O R AT E O R S O C I A L E V E N T. W HE T HE R Y OU’ R E P L A N N I N G A L A R G E G ATH ERIN G, A TH EMED S IT- DO WN 2 O R 3- C O U RS E DIN NE R IN CE NT U R I O N B A L L R O O M O R A S MA LLER C O C K TA IL S TY LE GET- TO GETH ER WITH CA NA P E S A ND DR I N KS O N T H E DE C K O R C O U RTYA RD, O R S O METH IN G IN BETWEEN WE H AVE Y OU COV E R E D. F O R S O M E T H I N G T RU LY S P EC IA L, O U R RO O FTO P A U RA EVEN T S PA C E I S A S T U N N I N G V E N UE TO C ELEBRATE IN S TY LE. WIT H 7 E V EN T S PA C E S T O C H O O S E FRO M, Y O U ’RE S U RE TO FIN D TH E P ERFEC T S PA C E F O R Y O U R N EXT EVEN T.

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BITS AND PIECES

THUMBS UP Neil the Seal going viral on TikTok and travelling the world that way.

The Liv Eat outlet at the airport.

BIGGER GRANTS FOR NEW MUSICIANS IN NICK’S NAME The Nick Balcombe Foundation has announced its biggest grant ever to mark the 10-year anniversary of Nick Balcombe’s passing. The foundation was formed by family and friends to honour the gifted musician, who tragically died following a stroke at age 31. This year the Live Your Dream grant will award an up-and-coming Tasmanian musician with $5000 plus four days of recording in the cutting-edge Frying Pan Studios in collaboration with Mona, bringing the grant value to over $9500. Applications close at midnight on January 28 via www.nickbalcombefoundation.com.au/ the-grant.

HOW CLEAN IS YOUR SWIM? A new trial of daily water quality predictions for Hobart’s estuary beaches has launched. The Beach Watch program, coordinated by the Derwent Estuary Program (DEP), will now add daily predictions of the faecal pollution levels at sites published on the Beach Watch website (www.derwentestuary.org.au/beach-watch). Forecast information will include updates about sewage spills and other sudden changes that may impact water quality at our beaches and general swimming advice. The DEP already publishes more in-depth weekly results over summer. Ursula Taylor, the DEP chief executive, explains, “Water samples are collected from more than 38 sites 14

in the Derwent to test for enterococci, a faecal indicator bacterium...the results demonstrate which beaches are suitable for swimming and where contamination sources may impact water quality.

We publish the results at the end of every week on our DEP Beach Watch webpage and Facebook site”. At the time of print, Kingston North was the only beach rated ‘poor’ on the website following recent tests.

Ms Taylor said councils had been co-operative in managing stormwater and sources of contamination. “Local government authorities and TasWater work together to locate and remedy the issues impacting recreational water sites,” she said. “We’ve seen over 60 stormwater network issues resolved throughout Clarence and Kingborough in the past year, and we will continue to advocate for this joint management approach.” And remember it’s recommended to avoid swimming after heavy rainfall, as most urban areas experience poor water quality for several days after heavy rain.

TARGA TASMANIA POSTPONED UNTIL 2025 Targa Australia announced they’re postponing the 2024 Targa Tasmania event as a coronial inquest into race fatalities takes its course. In 2021, three men died in two separate crashes while competing in Targa Tasmania. It’s expected Targa will return in 2025.

Time to hit the beautiful beaches of Tasmania.

Finally, some breathing space to tackle the pile of books by the bed.

THUMBS DOWN Airline chaos! If it’s not a flight being cancelled, it’s delay after delay. If you definitely need to get somewhere, you now need at least a day’s grace to make sure you actually arrive.

Finally getting on holidays, starting to rest and then you get sick.

Heading to the pub or games arcades and seeing shooting games promoting the killing of wild animals.

SLOW DOWN FOR ROAD WORKERS

Everyday hundreds of road workers risk their safety on Tasmanian roads. If you ignore speed limits or traffic instructions for road works, you are putting lives at risk.

Please, SLOW DOWN FOR ROAD WORKERS.

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BITS AND PIECES

HOW LOOSE ARE YOUR OBJECTS? Words: Chris Boron, Road Safety Advocate Tasmania has the highest ownership of dogs per capita in Australia. There are 5 million dogs in Australia and my local Clarence City Council, has 10,000 registered dogs.

A large Suburban Utility Vehicle (SUV) with loose unrestrained dogs moving about inside the vehicle caused the driver to lose attention and as a result, I experienced a near hit, crash impact collision.

BABY HANDFISH BORN IN HOBART Hobart is the first home for 21 red handfish babies born in the second ever conservation breeding event in captivity. Dr Andrew Trotter, an IMAS researcher who co-leads the conservation breeding program at the University of Tasmania’s Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS), said the births were significant. “Despite being a small clutch, this is actually equivalent to a quarter of the known wild red handfish population in Tasmania - so it’s very encouraging to have successfully bred the species in captivity in two consecutive breeding seasons,” he said.

Jemina Stuart-Smith, IMAS threatened species and ecosystems team co-leader, said the babies will live in captivity a little longer than usual.

“We’re taking cautious steps around the release program for red handfish in light of the predicted marine heatwave off south-eastern Tasmania this summer,” Dr Stuart-Smith said. “We’re excited that the captive population and breeding program is making good progress, but there is more to do. We’re still behind where we need to be for habitat restoration and management at red handfish sites – and it’s these components that will be the deciding factor in the survival of the species.”

The eggs took just over 50 days to hatch, and were cared for by their doting mother the whole time. “Our aim now is to grow this year’s hatchlings into healthy sub-adults so we can release them and bolster the dwindling wild population,” he said.

“Ultimately, we want them to breed in the wild.” The young will be raised in captivity for around one year, before being released into the wild. Before they are released, they go through ‘Handfish School’, a conditioning and enrichment program that trains them to survive and thrive in the wild. Dr

‘UNSHACKLED’ CONVICTS AT HOBART PENITENTIARY There is a new Convict Memorial Hub visitor experience at the National Trust’s Penitentiary Chapel on Campbell Street. Named Unshackled - Hobart Penitentiary, the curated journey takes visitors into the recently conserved 1860 interior of the Criminal Court. There, they can experience digital recreations of the life stories of some of the 75,000 convicts who came to Tasmania between 1803 and 1853. The Penitentiary is open for tours 10am-3pm, Wednesday to Sunday.

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The road safety dangers and hazards of loose objects in motor vehicles, such as umbrellas, pets and even a seemingly innocuous box of tissues, is not fully understood by the motoring public. It is risky behaviour for drivers to not adequately stow and restrain loose objects.

Most parents safely restrain their children but ignore the safety hazard of their fur babies (dogs). Parents should not drive with children and loose unrestrained dogs inside their vehicles. The much-loved family pet dog can cause distraction to the driver and on sudden braking or crash impact, become a potentially lethal projectile, which can fatally injure the driver and/or passengers.

A small unrestrained dog weighing a mere 4.5 kilograms exerts roughly 230 kilograms of pressure in a crash at 80 kilometres per hour on sudden braking.

A larger 36 kilogram dog at 50 kilometres per hour, exerts over a tonne (1,000 kilograms) of pressure.

To safely transport your children and/ or family pet, please consider installing a cargo barrier if the vehicle allows. If not, at the very least, obtain an effective dog harness, to restrain it from becoming a potentially lethal projectile. Drive to survive and protect yourself, children and other road users, from this avoidable road safety hazard! Restrain your dog with an appropriate effective animal harness or place it behind a cargo barrier.

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BITS AND PIECES Motherland, has become her unicorn, although its worth resides in the lives of the rural mums it has helped feel less alone. Best of luck to Stephanie and the other Tasmanian nominees in the awards announced later this month.

NEW EXHIBITION SHARES SIGNIFICANT OBJECTS FOR AUSTRALIANS OF THE YEAR If you find yourself in Canberra this summer, pop into the National Museum to check out an exhibition of significant objects chosen by the 2024 Australian of the Year state and territory recipients, which reveal personal stories about their lives, aspirations and experiences.

National Australia Day Council chief executive officer Mark Fraser AO CVO said, “In these challenging times, these objects give us a sense of hope that our brightest days are ahead. Our Australians of the Year from each state and territory are, in their own way, making an impact - socially, environmentally or politically.

They remind us of what can grow out of small seeds of action.”

The 2024 Australian of the Year exhibition will be on display at the National Museum until Sunday 11 February 2024 and will then tour nationally. Tasmanian Australian of the Year, Stephanie Trethewey, is a farmer and founder of Motherland, a national charity connecting and supporting rural mothers. Stephanie’s object is a unicorn. Stephanie’s husband, Sam, gave her this unicorn when she was working in an unfulfilling corporate job.

In finance, unicorns are privately held companies valued at more than $1 billion.

She kept it on her desk as a reminder of the promise she made to herself – that there was more for her to see and do. The online community Stephanie founded, 18

NOPE TO OCEAN CHILD CHANGES Hobart City Council has rejected a development application for Hobart pub The Ocean Child Inn. The application included plans to add another two levels to the pub and extra accommodation.

According to a statement, the Hobart City Council Planning Committee refused the application because ‘the proposal would result in the loss of historic cultural heritage significance; be an incompatible design in terms of height, scale, bulk, form, fenestration, siting and materials; not be subservient and complementary to the listed place; and detract from the historic cultural heritage significance of the listed place.’

NEW FERRY PLAN FEEDBACK The River Derwent Masterplan is out for community feedback until midnight on 8 January. The masterplan will guide the expansion of ferry services on the river and proposed potential new terminal sites and services. The masterplan identifies the best places to add ferry services as Lindisfarne, Howrah, Wilkinsons Point, Sandy Bay, Regatta Point and Kingston Beach. Direct routes from the eastern shore may be first, as they could be

quicker by ferry than car, helping ease congestion. For more, head to www. engage.stategrowth.tas.gov.au.

AWARD SEASON AT PEPPINA AND THE TASMAN HOTEL Hobart hotel The Tasman ended their 2023 on a high after its restaurant, Peppina, added yet another award to the shelf. Peppina was a joint winner in the Hotel Restaurant category of the prestigious HM Magazine awards for 2023, adding to the hotel’s success earlier this year, including wins at the Condé Nast Traveler 2023 Readers’ Choice, Wine List of The Year, Tasmanian Hospitality Awards for Excellence and the Annual Gourmet Traveller Awards.

TOURIST SPOTS FOR SALE Australia’s southernmost pub and a miniature village near Hobart - both hits with tourists - are both for sale. The Southport Hotel and Caravan park, sitting on 12 acres at pretty much the furthest south you can drive in Australia, is for sale on a freehold basis and is expected to net around $2 million. Meanwhile, Richmond’s Old Hobart Town Model Village is for sale now that owner and creator, Andrew Quick, is retiring. Sitting amongst a larger property of 4651 square metres, the miniature replica of Hobart Town in the 1820s includes over 500 handmade figurines depicting daily life of the time. There is no listed price and expressions of interest close January 12.

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BITS AND PIECES

A WARM START TO THE NEW YEAR LIKELY IN TASMANIA We’re all for summer hols, but living in leafy Hobart, summer also means bushfire nerves. So we thought we’d check in with the Bureau of Meteorology for a bespoke summary of what we can expect.

Jonathan Pollock, Senior Climatologist, told us this: January and February are typically the warmest months of the year for Hobart, and it is normally a great time to enjoy the outdoors. This year will likely bring a warmer than average January and February across Tasmania - Hobart has more than double its normal likelihood of having unusually warm maximum and minimum temperatures. The longrange forecasts for January and February reflect the continuing influence of global warming on Tasmania’s climate. Australia has warmed by around 1.48 °C since national records began in 1910, with most of the warming occurring since 1950.

much drier than usual have an increased risk of fire this summer. Remember to check the Bureau of Meteorology’s Tasmanian Warnings Summary www. bom.gov.au/tas/warnings, to help prepare for and lessen the impacts of severe weather.

8 TIPS FOR STAYING SAFE THIS FIRE SEASON Professor David Bowman, Professor of Pyrogeography and Fire Science at the University of Tasmania’s Fire Centre, has shared some top tips for staying safe this summer.

“Preparing for a bushfire is not just for people living in the bush, it’s for everyone,” says Professor Bowman.

“There is a significant risk that fire can reach down into our urban areas and the best thing you can do is to be informed and have a plan.”

LEARNING TO LIVE WITH FIRE UTAS has launched a new, free online short course to educate the community on how to live with bushfires and how to adapt in a changing climate. Dr Penelope Jones from the University of Tasmania developed the course, saying, “The short course is designed to help people in the community understand fire, how it has shaped our environments and human cultures, and how and why we might find new ways to live well with it.” It’s a taster of a longer, 12-week unit, also called ‘Living with Fire’ that forms part of the Diploma of Sustainable Living. The short course takes 18 hours over four weeks and can be started at any time. To register, or for more info, head to www.utas.edu. au/study/short-courses/living-with-fire.

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• While the El Niño in the Pacific Ocean, along with a positive Indian Ocean Dipole, played a role in the drier than average spring across most of Tasmania, those two natural climate drivers are less likely to have a major influence on rainfall for Tasmania in early 2024. There is no strong push towards above or below average rainfall for Hobart for January overall. February though is likely to be drier than average for Hobart and parts of the south-east.

Parts of the south-east where it has been 20

• Learn what a ‘catastrophic fire danger rating’ means and what you must do if this weather arrives: leave bushland areas that may be affected by these extraordinarily dangerous weather conditions.

• Develop situational awareness in the fire season: understand where you are, and if you are in a flammable environment, know how to leave to a safer place, be alerted to changes in the environment (seeing and smelling smoke, thunder) and

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monitor weather conditions (heat, wind, clouds, lightning).

Have a plan to escape from dangerous places and identify nearby safe places (beaches, clear areas), think about the way you will leave and consider alternatives to driving – bikes, boats, kayaks, and walking.

Be networked and keep up to date with warnings. Listen to your ABC local radio station for updates during an emergency.

Be careful with fire and check for permit requirements before lighting fires – these might change day to day.

Make sure your valuable belongings are packed and ready to go if you are in a bushfire prone area.

Look out for others, especially vulnerable neighbours or those less mobile, and remember pets and their needs.

Protect yourself from bushfire smoke: monitor your health with AirRater.

Get informed and do the Living with Fire short course and the Bushfires and Your Health online course via UTAS.

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FEATURE

LONDON CALLING FOR TASSIE TALENT Interview: Peta Hen Dancer Lizzie Johnstone is about to leave Tasmania for the bright lights of London.

Where did you grow up and where do you live now? I was born in the UK and moved to lutruwita/Tasmania with my family when I was two years old. I grew up in nipaluna/Hobart and then made the move to naarm/Melbourne in 2018 to study a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance) at the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA).

In 2021, I moved back to Tassie and have been working as a pilates instructor at various studios around Hobart and as a gallery attendant at MONA (which I love!).

How did you get into dance and performing arts? I started dancing when I was four. I think my parents made me go to classes in the hope I could channel some of my energy into something creative and productive. I really came out of my shell when I danced - movement and rhythm just seemed to make sense to me. I think it made me more confident.

I trained at Encore, House of Dance and Jenina’s Dance Workshop and was a member of the Tasmanian Youth Classical Ballet Company (TYCBC) taught by Shayne Davies. Shayne was a big part of my classical training and inspired me to pursue a ballet and contemporary dance career. At school, I became increasingly interested in dance and visual art and how the two could combine.

You recently received the Annie Greig Dance Scholarship. What does that mean to you? It’s unbelievable, it means everything. It could change the whole trajectory of my career (and life) and I feel extremely lucky and excited. I was so happy to be accepted into the Masters Screendance course, but I never thought I would have the funds to be able to go, especially being an overseas student. I saw the Annie Greig Scholarship was specifically for a Tasmanian dancer wanting to travel and/or study overseas - a perfect match. I think this scholarship will be so beneficial to the Tasmanian contemporary performing arts scene in the years to come.

You’re about to move to London to study for your masters at The London Contemporary Dance School?

Yes, I am. It’s the only Masters level Screendance course in the world! Getting the Annie Greig Scholarship means I can now realistically afford to make the move, along with my savings from the past three years. All the stars seemed to have aligned. I became aware of this course in 2020, during my third year at VCA, and really wanted to pursue this field of study. My Screendance lecturer, Siobhan Murphy, introduced me to the artform and gave me the confidence to seek out further study in this field. She was also a massive support to my application and I’m very thankful our paths crossed. I’ve been keen to study in the UK for a while, as I’m a dual citizen, and London is such an exciting and vibrant environment for performing arts.

You’ve made two short screen dance

works, Checkmate and Chaos, baby.

What are they about? Chaos, baby (2020) was my first dance film. It was in the middle of the pandemic and with everything that was going on in the world (and uni going completely online!) I became overwhelmed. It’s very experimental - I had no access to uni equipment or resources and limited hands-on peer or lecturer support. The silver lining was it meant I had complete creative freedom.

Ultimately, Chaos, baby explored themes of corporate and political power and how it can transform and corrupt people who put their own needs ahead of those they purport to serve. The film was curated by the Ian Potter Museum of Art in 2020, as part of their Inside Out exhibition.

Checkmate (2020) was made as part of my independent study project at VCA. This is when I really started getting into screen dance as a discipline and wanted to keep exploring it in my artistic practice. I started by surveying my fellow students, and their responses informed the choreographic elements of the piece. My peers and friends were such a big part of my university life and I wanted to capture that in film, despite being physically isolated from them during our final year.

It explores how our use and reliance on technology changed during this time and how it simultaneously digitally connected us, yet further isolated and restricted us.

What would be your dream gig? I’m really interested in choreography in the film and TV industry. I would love to be a movement director or choreographer for a high-budget film or tv series one day Barbie 2 perhaps Greta Gerwig?

You can follow Lizzie’s career via www. lizziejohnstone.com.

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IN THE HANGING GARDEN

Sleepless Summer NOW OPEN 7 DAYS Step into a season of endless sunshine and sleepless nights at In The Hanging Garden, as the precinct comes to life 7 days a week over the summer season.

WEEKLY EVENTS LIVE MUSIC SUNDAYS

SUMMER HITS

Acoustic sounds in Cathedral

Fri 12 Jan

Zindzi & The Zillionaires

FRIDAY + SATURDAY NIGHT DANCE PARTIES

Wed 17 Jan

Hanging Garments

Sat 27 Jan

Hottest 100 Party

Hits + throwbacks in High Altar

FRIDAY + SATURDAY NIGHT DJS Boogie under the stars in Cathedral

FOOD + DRINK SPECIALS PIZZA MONDAYS

DAILY HAPPY HOUR

Buy 2 get 1 garlic cheese for free

$6 Cascade Blues, 4–5pm daily

TACO TUESDAYS

FREE CHIPPIE HOUR

$10 frozen margaritas, $5 tacos

Free truffle fries with every food order, 4–5pm daily

PARMI WEDNESDAYS

KOREAN BRUNCH SET

$20 parmies, choice of 3 flavours with sides

$15.50 egg and bacon roll with cheese, gochujang glaze + Korean lemonade, 11am–2pm weekdays

BY PIZZA PIZZA

BY MOTHER MEXICO

BY EDEN

BY GARDEN BAR

BY CHIOSCO

BY ANJU

Explore what’s on and grab tickets at inthehanginggarden.com.au 23

WHAT’S ON IN HOBART MONDAY

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This year’s annual Big Monkey Theatre family show in the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens is Pinocchio.

There are multiple shows on various days until the 21st.

Area 52 are hosting their first annual board game night. Play through their collection or bring your own. Free entry, 5am-9pm. Catch Beddy Rays x The Terrys, Hobart Uni Bar tonight.

Tickets vndn.com.au.

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The Search in Songwriting is a workshop run by two Australian songwriting duos - Little Clouds and Broken Creek. 5:30pm8:30pm at Kickstart Arts in New Town.

Unleash your inner wordsmith at the Hobart Library for their Black Out Poetry event, where you will create your own poem! Ages 12+, 2pm-3:30pm. Book via Eventbrite.

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Cameron Jones performs the Hot Club music of Django Rienhardt for a one day workshop, performance and jam.

Midday to 5pm at Soho Arts, Weld St.

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Check out Hobart Current: Epoch - a thought-provoking contemporary art program and exhibition, featuring new works created by 10 artists at TMAG and outdoor sites within Hobart CBD.

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William Crighton and special guest Beans on Toast play at Moonah Arts Centre tonight from 7:30pm.

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See some world class tennis and more as the Hobart International starts today. At the Domain Tennis Centre until the 13th. Check their website for the full schedule.

Join Friends of Summerleas Wildlife in a screening of their film Roadkill Warriors and take home a fun craft pack. Ages 9+, 10am-11am, Kingston Library.

Looking to get rude and ridiculous? Drag Bingo will be performed at Society from 6:30pm.

Tickets from Eventbrite.

At Blackmans Bay there will be a twilight dive at 6pm tonight. Suitable for beginners, check the Tasmanian Divers website for more info.

Take the kids behind the scenes at Hobart Library with a guided tour of the Wray and Tower building, from 10am, book via Eventbrite.

Irish muso Wallis Bird performs at Rosny Farm Arts Centre & Rosny Barn from 7pm tonight.

Meg Washington fronts the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra for a special performance at Wrest Point Casino, 7:30pm.

Cricket lovers!

Get along to An Evening with Brian Lara, 7:30pm at the Blundstone Arena.

Join author Jo Dixon for a fab evening to discuss her latest book A Shadow at the Door, RACV Hotel, 6-8pm.

Kids from 6-11 years who love to perform are invited to recreate the Disney classic film Jungle Book.

For more info and to book, head to the Exitleft Productions website.

9am start.

The Clubhouse is headlined by Dilruk Jayasinha (Utopia, Would I Lie to You?, Spicks and Specks), 7:30pm- 9:30pm at Hobart Brewing Co.

Shrek the Musical sounds hilarious. Presented by The Old Nick Company at Don Bosco Creative Arts Centre, til the 11th.

Hypnotist Andy Vening performs at the Kingborough Community Hub, 8pm and the Def Lepers are back after 38 years, at the Grand Poobah.

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JANUARY SATURDAY

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Robert Forster, the legendary founder of the Go-Betweens, heads to Mona for an intimate show in the Nolan Gallery. 7pm (doors 6.30pm).

The Native Cats launch their latest album ‘The Way On Is The Way Off’ at the Polish Club, 7:30pm. Tix $15.

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The Mark Of Cain perform their epic 1995 magnum-opus Ill At Ease live at the UniBar from 8pm.

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Gin lovers unite at the Gin-uary Hobart Gin Festival, held at PW1 today and tomorrow, then Kate Miller-Heidke is at the Odeon.

FURTHER AFIELD 18-21 January Tasmanian Walking Co present their Bruny Island Long Weekend Walk in collaboration with Fat Pig Farm. Enjoy a farm feast and tour at Matthew Evans and Sadie Chrestman’s Huon Valley property, then be whisked over to Bruny for a three-day island walk.

Sydney-based Irishwoman Cliona Molins is running the Golden Kelp Harp Workshop today from 10:30am-3:30pm at the Claremont RSL. Beginners welcome.

Choo choo!

The Tasmanian Transport Museum in Glenorchy is running steam train rides today from 11am and every Sunday during January.

Tickets required for some of the rides.

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Artist Penny Burnett spent much of the first Covid lockdown creating a bespoke colour-chart book. Her resulting exhibition is Charting Colour in The Gray Zone, Schoolhouse Gallery, 11am-5pm Wed-Sun.

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The kids will love The Cat in The Hat at the Theatre Royal this morning at 10:30am, then British India play The Longley, 8pm.

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

o change. Check in with individual events for further details.

6 January Australia’s longest running play, The Ship That Never Was, is celebrating 30 years of performances today with a special show and event at Strahan Primary School 5pm-7pm. Bookings not required, but BYO picnic, blanket and chair etc.

27 January The Tasman Peninsula Feast includes food and lots of fun for the whole family, at 21 Clarke St, Nubeena, 4pm-10pm.

28 January Check out some vintage and classic Australian cars at The Big 3 - Ford, Holden and Chrysler.

10am-2pm, 84 Lindsay St, Invermay.

12 January The magnificent Claire Anne Taylor launches her new album ‘Giving It Away’ at the Paragon Theatre in Queenstown tonight from 7pm. She’s also playing Hobart, Launceston, Bicheno, Kindred, Deloraine, Wynyard, Sisters Beach before heading over to the mainland.

12-14 January Cygnet Folk Festival is back, with performances by Riley Lee, Northern Resonance (Sweden) and Clare Sands (Ireland) and heaps more at Burtons Reserve and various spots in and around Cygnet from today until the 14th. cygnetfolkfestival.org.

2-4 February It’s Festivale in Launceston - the annual three day celebration designed to showcase Tasmanian food, beverages and entertainment. It was started as a multicultural street party in 1988, now Festivale has evolved into a mega event in City Park.

Got an event coming up in Tassie?

Email us at editor@thehobartmagazine.com.au Background photo: Pete Harmsen 25

AROUND THE ISLAND MONDAY

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Road Kill Warriors, a documentary about wildlife killed on our roads is screening at Kingston Library, 10am, with time for a chat afterwards.

Use coffee to create art! Hive in Ulverstone hosts this hands-on family-friendly activity, 10:30am11:30am.

Goodlife Permaculture’s 2024 Permaculture Design Course starts at Okines Community House in Dodges Ferry today.

Queenstown Library hosts a Manga and Anime Art Session this morning from 10am.

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TUESDAY The NorthWest Woodcraft Guild hosts its open workshop today - visitors are welcome to view the gallery and to purchase items for sale. 10am-4pm, The Hive, Ulverstone.

Northern Resonance, a Scandinavian string trio, play amongst the petals at the Bridestowe Lavender Estate in Nabowla, 2pm.

Hive Tasmania at Ulverstone is hosting a music-making and instrument-creating workshop for families of all ages, 10:30am11:30am.

Comedic musician Kevin Bloody Wilson starts his new tour in Launceston tonight at the Country Club Showroom from 7:30pm.

Local musician Dylan Boys is hosting a workshop for young people on the North West coast aged between 13-18 who want to get into performing in the live music scene.

RANT, Devonport, from today at 10am, weekly for a month.

Irish singer Wallis Bird plays at the beautiful Palais Theatre in Franklin, 7pm.

Check out William Crighton plus Beans On Toast at the Royal Oak in Launceston, from 7pm.

Paint n Sip with a floral theme at the Winnaleah Hotel at Winnaleah from 6pm.

There are heaps of great kids’ events at libraries across the state today - make origami at Smithton or make a 3D garden collage in Wynyard.

A three-day Bruny Island Walk combined with a farm feast at Fat Pig Farm in the Huon Valley starts today. Taswalkingco.com.au.

British India play at Scamander Beach Resort, 7pm.

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Cygnet Folk Festival is back, with performances at Burtons Reserve and various spots in and around Cygnet from today until the 14th.

Fresh Comedy at Launceston’s Sports Garden Hotel with Dilruk Jayasinha (Utopia, Amazon Prime, Would I Lie to You?, Spicks and Specks), plus supports, from 8pm. The Tamar Valley Folk Festival returns to George Town.

The Deloraine Celtic Music Weekend begins, and the 126th Mount Lyell Strahan Picnic takes place at West Strahan Beach from 10am.

Legendary rock band The Angels are celebrating their 50th anniversary with a new tour, playing in Shearwater tonight at 7:30pm.

They will perform over the next two nights in Scamander and Longley, respectively.

Swansea’s monthly Community Market is on, then later the Wolfe Brothers, Ange Boxhall and Sam McMeekin rock Civic Square from 6pm.

The satire runs thick at the 63rd Annual Australian Mustard Federation Symposium and Condiment Expo with comedian Dion Dijon at Du Cane Brewery, 7:30pm.

A Day at the Lake, a festival of ‘booze, brews and tunes’ is at Tullah Lakeside Lodge all day.

The Queen Victoria Art Gallery in Launceston hosts a family-friendly craft session today, inspired by their Miniature Worlds exhibition. This is a free event, and runs from 10:30am12pm.

Travelling covers group The Beatles Show present ‘The Greatest Hits’ at Civic Square, Launceston, 2pm.

Check out the Dark Side of the Moon at the Launceston Planetarium, 1:30pm2:15pm.

Kate Miller-Heidke’s incredible voice will fill Launnie’s Civic Square from 5pm, supported by Georgia Mooney and Zac Eichner.

Have an event coming up? Let us know! editor@thehobartmagazine.com.au

Background photo: Tourism Australia

FRIDAY

WHAT’S ON IN TASSIE

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COVER FEATURE

TASSIE CYCLIST AIMS BIG Interview: Stephanie Williams Lauren Perry is a national-level cyclist, hailing from Launceston. Her recent move from long to short distance has her laying down the kilometres in anticipation of her next big event.

How did you get into cycling? I got into cycling after following my dad around the Tasmanian Christmas Carnivals for the first three years of my life. I had my first beginners race at the ripe age of three, on my tricycle at Exeter track. I loved riding my bike and wanted to race properly after that, but my parents told me I had to wait until I was 10 years old. So until that point I would tie a number to my back that I’d made with an old face washer and race the boys up and down the street on my BMX. At 10 years old I races my first races - a criterium in Ulverstone and the Christmas Carnivals. I’ve never looked back.

You’re from Launceston - what role has Tassie played in your career so far? Our training facilities for cycling are world class. The Tasmanian Institute of Sport is very well equipped and staffed by some very intelligent and passionate people who want us to achieve our goals as much as we do. Just as impressive are our roads; they’re harsh, yet beautiful. The terrain and weather can be unforgiving at times, but Tasmania is known as the breeding ground for tough cyclists across Australia and the globe. And of course I must mention the outdoor tracks. It’s where my career started and I’m sure they started many others too. Every December they bring people together for action packed racing, not only on the velodromes but the running tracks too.

The support I’ve felt in Tasmania is unique. I think being a smaller community means that people hear about 28

some of the races you’ve done or have coming up and take an interest. As a Junior, fundraising to go to the World Championships was eyeopening. So many people from my communities (my city, sport, school etc) wanted to contribute and help. Something I thought would be a challenge almost became easy because of Tasmanian people. Our local media are excited to share our stories, my bosses in my workplaces were willing to work around my unpredictable and crazy training and racing schedules. There are many, many people in Tasmania who have helped pave the pathway of my career and I’m forever grateful.

You’re chasing selection for the Paris Olympics in 2024. How does that work?

This was a big goal for me, especially two years ago. However I’ve recently had a big change on my career path and have swapped to sprinting. For people who don’t know a lot about cycling, I describe it as a marathon runner turning into a 100m runner like Usain Bolt. This means Paris is out of the picture as it won’t be possible to earn enough points to qualify in time. Usually selection works by competing in a range of events from national/ continental championships to world cups and world championships where you earn points in each of the races. To be eligible for the Olympics, you or your nation will need a certain amount of points to be able to compete. Sometimes this can be challenging and you might need to race quite a few events to reach the required amount.

Of course training is a vital piece of the puzzle that is Olympic Qualification. I usually train 20-25 hours a week both on the bike and in the gym. This has changed since turning to sprint and although I’m not on my road bike as often, I am in the gym for around 2-2.5 hours, three times a week. I also do three track sessions, road riding and high intensity sessions on an ergo or stationary bike. Efforts are always at 100% and recovery between not only the efforts in the session, but each training day is just as important. Now Paris is out of the picture, the attention turns to being fast enough for World Championships which are annual and the LA Olympics.

What does a day in the life of a professional cyclist look like? A typical training day look like this: Wake up from 9 hours sleep. Breakfast - considering carbohydrate and protein intake based on the workload. On a heavy training day, sometimes I need to allow more time for breakfast to fit in all the oats. Gym. This usually finishes up by midday. Home for a shower and some lunch. This meal helps to recover from the gym session and also provide fuel for the second session. 3pm arrive for track. Build the bike up, as it’s fixed gear you need to change the chainring to make the gear bigger or smaller.

Warm up follows and then into the full gas efforts. This finishes up around 5:30 and then we analyse efforts and technique. Dinner with my family or housemates, depending on where I’m living.

We travel a lot for racing and training so I’m lucky to share my meal times with many different friends and family. Back to bed for another 9 hours sleep. People who know me know that I’m also quite social. So usually I squeeze some social activity in the day when time permits too.

You’re part of the UAE Development team - how does that work? To people outside of cycling it may be confusing that I, an Aussie girl, am a member of the UAE development team. UAE have professional teams in both Men’s and Women’s pro road cycling. You may have seen the Men’s team before as their lead rider, Tadej Pogacar has won the Tour de France a few times. Basically UAE team is a professional cycling team made up of international riders, however the UAE is the title sponsor. We compete in the professional peloton in Europe throughout

COVER FEATURE

the road season. We also have other sponsors on this team, but the UAE have naming rights. Unfortunately moving to sprint meant that I will not do another road season in the near future, so the end of 2023 will be the end of my time with UAE Development Team.I’m grateful for my time with this team and look forward to watching it progress in the future.

What do you like to do outside cycling?

I especially love spending time with my friends and baking! In summer I also like to get to the beach at every opportunity I have. I have many hobbies and drive my parents mad with all the things I buy for said hobbies and leave at home with them when I disappear to live elsewhere for training and racing.

Where are you based now? Currently in Launceston. I have not long returned home from living in Spain for 10 months of this year and I will likely move to Queensland in 2024 to train with the sprint program.

What do you do in Tassie on your days off? I love to head to the East Coast whenever time permits (which isn’t very often). I also enjoy catching up with friends at a vineyard - we are spoilt for choice down here! I occasionally make trips to Hobart for shopping and good food (Coal River Farm Brie has my heart) and when the stars align (more like our busy schedules) I like heading out on the boat to go fishing with Dad.

without any interruptions. I’ve had the privilege of working with many brands throughout my career and currently still have an ambassadorial role with Launceston Mazda. These companies have made all the hard work so much easier and it’s always exciting to share the ride with the amazing people in my corner!

How can our readers get behind you for 2024? If you’re interested in cycling or my journey from endurance to sprint, you can follow my instagram account @laur3nperry. I am currently looking to work with some sponsors as well to help fund my transition year. The change from endurance to sprint means I have lost all funding until I can prove myself in this new discipline. I am hoping to find some part-time work to help with this, but any sponsorship or partnership with a business/brand would help immensely to be able to commit to this training program

Benny Bintruck is a messy, noisy garbage truck just trying to do his job.

A fun children’s book by Hobart author, Stephanie Williams. Available at Fullers, Dymocks and Lily&Dot locally and online (includes shipping).

“Charli is obsessed with Benny.

She adores him and giggles “stinky poo stinky Benny”.

- Olivia www.bennybintruck.com 29

URBAN ADVENTURE

the Cascade Gardens, the track WALK THROUGH From turns into Degraves Street. On one side street are pretty, colonial cottages.

HISTORY: HOBART ofOnthis the opposite side of the street is the RIVULET TRACK Cascades Female Factory Historic Site, Words and pictures: Elizabeth Osborne

dating from 1828, and now part of the World Heritage List of UNESCO. The Female Factory conducts tours daily.

Opposite the Female Factory stands the poignant statue of pregnant convict, Martha Gregory, erected in 2021, to represent all convict women, especially convict mothers. There are often flowers left here, tucked in her hand.

Continuing our walk, we came across Alex Miles’ steel and stone sculptures of black cockatoos, titled Rain Coming. This sculpture represents the bird life which was everywhere on our walk beside the Hobart Rivulet.

The track then passed through the tranquil Korean Grove, which commemorates the Korean War of 1950-1953.

The Hobart Rivulet Track, from South Hobart to the city, is a fascinating walk through history.

We decided to set out on this track from the historic Cascade Brewery, which was built on the banks of the Hobart Rivulet in 1824.

South Hobart was once an industrial hub centred on the Hobart Rivulet. Many industries, powered by water technology, abounded along the Rivulet, such as flour mills, woollen mills, leather tanneries, breweries and distilleries. Nowadays the Rivulet is a peaceful linear park shared by pedestrians and cyclists.

The Track follows the Hobart Rivulet through Cascade Gardens to a spillway.

On previous walks we have seen platypus in the rivulet below the slipway, but no luck on this walk. Since the ABC documentary, The Platypus Guardian, this area has become a favourite place for platypus spotting. The hill above the slipway is a beautiful garden.

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We reached the end of the Hobart Rivulet Track at Molle Street, once the site of Hobart’s first flour mill, now home to Hamlet Café, a social enterprise training venture. After a coffee at Hamlet, we retraced our steps along the Rivulet, history only a breath away.

URBAN ADVENTURE

THE SUMMIT OF GOAT HILL Words and pictures: Elizabeth Osborne A new walk was on the agenda. We turned to the northern slopes of kunanyi/Mount Wellington to take the walk to the summit of Goat Hill. This walk is a round trip of 10 kilometres, along well-maintained and clearly signed trails.

Goat Hill is located on the outskirts of the bustling Glenorchy CBD. Proceed north along the Glenorchy Main Road, turning off at Montrose Road and driving the length of this road to Wellington Park to where the Montrose Fire Trail begins.

There is a small parking bay at the boom gate that marks the entrance to Wellington Park, managed by Glenorchy City Council (GCC).

We walked along the Montrose Fire Trail.

It is a gradual ascent that follows the contours of the foothills, through light bush dominated by peppermint gums.

Bird songs filled the air. Bright pink dye on Spanish heath was welcome evidence that GCC is attacking this scourge.

After around 500 metres, the Montrose Fire Trail merges with the Zig Zag Fire Trail. Our destination, the summit of Goat

Hill, could be seen, clearly marked by a tall electricity tower. Giant electricity pylons march across the mountain slopes to Hobart. Clear views over Glenorchy, Hobart City and the Derwent estuary appeared below as we followed the Zig Zag Fire Trail upwards. We stopped for lunch, sitting on sheltered rocks, from whence we could identify many landmarks far below.

Further along the trail, the Zig Zag Fire Trail merges with Dooleys Fire Trail for the last stage of the walk, to the summit (673m elevation). The tall TasNetworks tower is dwarfed by the panoramic views that stretch from kunanyi/Mount Wellington, Hobart CBD, over the Derwent Estuary and around the north to Collinsvale. High overhead, a wedgetailed eagle soared. As we watched, it was joined by another wedge-tailed eagle. The pair flew together, gliding languidly on the up currents. What a wonderful climax to the walk!

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HISTORY

HOW AUSTRALIA DAY CAME TO BE Words: Amanda Double Did you know that “Australia Day” was celebrated on different dates in this country before the now-controversial date of 26 January was finally adopted in 1935 by all Australian states and territories to mark the landing date of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove in 1788?

Sometimes called “Foundation Day”, or “Invasion Day”, depending on one’s point of view, it wasn’t until 1994 that this date began to be consistently marked as a national public holiday.

In fact, the first official Australia Day was established on 30 July, 1915, in response to our involvement in World War I, as part of a patriotic fundraising plan to encourage the community to contribute to the war effort. According to the Australian War Memorial, Mrs Ellen Wharton-Kirke of Manly, New South Wales, whose four sons had enlisted, suggested a national “Australia Day” to support wounded soldiers to the then New South Wales Premier, Sir Charles Wade. Ellen “had seen the generosity of the Australian people during other fundraising days and saw an “Australia Day” as a way of drawing on the pride of Australians in their soldiers’ recent achievements at Gallipoli. 30 July, 1915 was the date agreed upon, and events were held across all of Australia. Ribbons, badges, handkerchiefs, buttons and other items...were sold to raise funds...”

Tasmania also celebrated “our wounded soldiers”, with fairs and side-shows, marching bands, markets, stalls, afternoon teas and other refreshments. The official programme for Hobart’s celebration on 30 July, 1915 declared stoutly: “To-day is Australia Day. In Hobart as in other centres throughout the Commonwealth, it is to be a money-making day, not of the selfish enrichment of anyone, but for the benefit of the soldiers - our own soldiers - who have returned, or are yet to return, invalided from the war. The occasion 32

promises to be unique, and in all probability the memory of it will live long in the memories of all participating in it.”

Herbert Nicholls, Chairman of the 1915 Australia Day Committee, also noted that “the Australia Day Fund is not for the purpose of providing anything which the Government ought to provide. It is intended to supply immediate relief to Australian wounded or sick soldiers, and to help them in many little ways...”

A little ditty exhorted readers: “If you button up your pockets, you’ll feel sad enough, some day / Here’s a chance to be Australian, will you PAY, PAY, PAY?” Local poet W.H. Dawson also composed a poem for the event, entitled Australia Day, 30th July, 1915. Its four verses move from ‘At home’ (“It is good to live! When the life runs strong / In the veins of youth, and work is a song!”) to ‘The Call’ (from Britain, to arms), to ‘Gallipoli’ - with the fulsomely-patriotic sentiments typical of that time, which now jar somewhat with many modern readers (especially given the wars in various parts of the world at the moment): “Yes, it was good to live; but today it is better to die ...What greater love hath a man than this, that he lay down his life for a friend?”

English war poet Wilfred Owen wrote his famous poem Dulce et Decorum Est when he was fighting in World War I, although it wasn’t published until 1920, after his death in that war. In it he powerfully calls out “the old Lie” of this popular sentiment of “Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori” (or “sweet and fitting it is to die for one’s country”, espoused by the Roman poet Horace), showing us instead the terrible realities of war as one poor soldier, too slow in donning his gas mask, suffers the

brutal consequences. The fourth verse of our local poet Dawson’s poem, Australia Day, is a plea for help for the wounded: The dead, they rest in peace for aye, honoured and loved and famed; But the Red Cross ships bring others back, shattered, blinded, maimed.

And you, their own homefolk, for whom they have paid the ghastly price Of youth and health and strength – for help they shall not ask you twice?

The cost they counted now they pay, nor murmur nor regret; Australia! to thine heart of hearts receive them, nor forget!

A poem in similar vein also appeared in that day’s Examiner newspaper in Launceston, following an article the previous day rallying readers: “War is a strenuous test of the patriotism of a nation...From Cape York to South-West Cape, from Albany to Rockhampton, Australians will join in one big effort to supplement the funds required to succour our sick and wounded.”

Australia Day went on to be held again nationally in the subsequent war years of 1916, 1917 and 1918, on different dates in July. Ellen Wharton-Kirke was awarded a solid gold medalet by the NSW Premier in 1915 in recognition of her efforts. Her son Basil had been wounded at Gallipoli and was invalided home. But there was soon to be sadder news for Ellen: her eldest son, Captain Errol WhartonKirke was killed in action on 4 August 1916. Fortunately her other two sons seem to have returned home safely, with Lieutenant Hunter Wharton-Kirke being awarded the Military Cross for his actions on 5 June 1918 with 17 Battalion.

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DINING OUT

BACK TO SCHOOL Words: Stephanie Williams It’s not normal to have a pinch me moment when you have the waft of compost and waste blowing in the breeze around you is it? That’s what I had recently during a class at The Agrarian Kitchen in New Norfolk.

Chef and owner Rodney Dunn, who runs the school and restaurant expertly with his wife Severine Demanet, had led our small group of eight out into the early summer garden for a tour and to pick ingredients for our class that day. Half way through, after picking peas, fragrant herbs, and a massive “baby” fennel, we stopped at the back of the garden to talk dirt. I learned that eggshells will break down if you bake them in the oven, and that bones can be used if they’re burnt. It was fascinating to walk through the greenhouses, to see the logs inoculated with shitake mushrooms, and to see how they’re cutting down on plastic waste and using up kitchen waste so well.

Rather than focusing just on cooking in the kitchen, the class broadens to the garden to illustrate how where food actually comes from (good soil, good garden practices) produces incredible results on the plate. The garden area is within the walls of an old prison

yard - soaring walls provide an excellent microclimate, supported by three gardeners who tend the space. The tour finished with us creeping underneath the netted berry area to pick some fresh loganberries, (of which I may have tried a few direct from the vine) before heading into the speccy new kitchen to start the cooking component of the class.

For years the cooking school was at Rodney and Severine’s home. It was 2008 when they opened the school and farm in The Old Schoolhouse in Lachlan. But then the restaurant in New Norfolk was born and post-covid the new cooking school has opened. The space is stunning - a dream kitchen space - filled with light, equipment, white benches, and a big beautiful fireplace.

The classes respond to what’s happening in the garden so for us we were using

the last of the peas and new fennel in a pasta dish, new season pink eyes in a potato salad, local lamb in shawarma with flatbreads, and dessert was a tribute to lemon meringue pie topped with the loganberries.

Each pair takes on a different part of the menu. My friend and I put our hands up for the pasta dish. I have only made fresh pasta once in my life and thought this was a good time to learn more. The agnolotti pasta was filled with ricotta - also something I had never made before. Before long the room was buzzing with people looking for ingredients, asking questions, sneaking nibbles of the veggies we had sourced (maybe that was just me?), and working out the steps in each recipe.

Cheesemaking seems like something you’d need to have a few skills to do. But I learnt that ricotta is as easy as it gets.

Heat up milk, add vinegar, and watch the magic. I make the ricotta and let it set while we get to work on the pasta and its fennel and pea braise for a sauce.

I was learning new things at every turn the right consistency for my pasta dough (drier than I thought!), how much olive

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DINING OUT

oil is actually needed in my braise (lots) and how much I now want a KitchenAid mixer with a pasta attachment (badly)!

The reward at the end of our cooking session is to sit and eat together. Rodney gives direction on how to plate up each course, which each pair then replicates.

Our pasta was the first course and I must say, it was so delicious. It was beautifully paired with a glass of Two Bud Spur Sauvignon Blanc from the Huon Valley. The courses that follow kept us eating, plating up, eating and chatting well into the afternoon. And it was heavenly.

After class, Rodney told me that he likes to feature recipes that people will make after the class, that can easily be made in a home kitchen. To me, that’s the mark of a good cooking class - if you actually make the dishes again, of which I already have. I can proudly say the potato salad is an absolute crowdpleaser and my pasta skills are coming along nicely!

If you don’t want to commit to a cooking class, or a nice long lunch in the restaurant, pop into the Kiosk to try cakes, light lunches and drinks each weekend. It’s open on Fridays now too. The class schedule for 2024 is out now, with Rodney and guest chefs leading classes.

The writer was a guest of The Agrarian Kitchen Cooking School.

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BOOKS

THE TASSIE BOOK CLUB The Woman Booker Prize Club is a local Hobart book club. Here they share their thoughts on books by Tasmanian authors, set in Tasmania, or about Tassie topics.

Have you got a new years resolution?

Perhaps it’s about gardening, sustainability or connecting with nature? If so, Milkwood by Kirsten Bradley and Good Life Growing by Hannah Moloney will certainly put you in good stead to succeed in your new green habits.

The Milkwood Permaculture Living Handbook provides a wonderful introduction to permaculture (a sustainable and regenerative design system). It covers the 12 design principles and includes 60 small habit changes that you can make to live in more sustainable ways, in all aspects of life.

goals and creating habits, which is critical for changing our behaviour. By making it clear that approaching change in a sustainable way is as important as the changes we make, readers are set up for success.

Permaculture principles are quite broad, covering observing and interacting with your environment, producing no waste, valuing diversity and responding to change. When outlining each permaculture principle, Kirsten offers five habits to consider. Breaking down each principle with plenty of options means you can select something that feels achievable in your permaculture journey.

Not being familiar with the concept of permaculture, I found it a really approachable book to inspire sustainable practices - beyond the habits most of us have already picked up, like using a reusable coffee cup, recycling, and growing a few herbs. I will keep coming back to this book as a guide!

If you haven’t set your 2024 new year’s resolutions yet, I recommend picking up a copy and selecting a few habits to implement!

Kirsten Bradley writes in a simple and engaging style that makes it easy to read and understand, without skimming over the details. She also spends time explaining how to succeed at setting Hannah Moloney truly has every gardener and growing environment covered in this green bible. The book notes from the outset that it’s not about permaculture: it is an organic gardening book.

Hannah spends the book breaking down all the essentials in the lifecycle of a garden from the soil, seeds and seedlings through to composting. She covers every budget; how to garden with scraps from the tip shop, and she does exactly what the title states: outlining how to grow fruit and veg in the four major climates across Australia. There is definitely something for every gardener in this book.

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While this book is optimistic that gardening is for everyone on any budget (it is!), it also includes lots of commentary and tips when things go wrong in the garden. Even as an expert, Hannah’s garden suffers from the same weeds and pests that the rest of us do! As someone new to gardening it’s refreshing to read this upfront admission that there are no perfect gardens out there. More than anything else, gardening is about showing up, consistently.

I highly recommend following Hannah Moloney on Instagram as well (@goodlife_permaculture). Her enthusiasm, hearty laugh and bright pink hair are sure to inject some energy and motivation for getting outside and into your garden.

Book Chatter: Is your new year’s resolution to read more? The Hobart Bookshop’s new Novella Book Club could be the perfect way to start. Focusing on short books, they’ll be meeting the first Monday of the month. If you’ve been on the lookout for a bookclub of your own, the Hobart and Fullers Bookshops both offer a range of clubs to suit all tastes, including fantasy and sci-fi; translated Japanese fiction; poetry; millennials; Shakespeare, Proust, philosophy, and ‘books we’ve always meant to read’!

Keen to chat books with us? Find us on Instagram @thewomanbookerprizeclub or email thewbpc@gmail.com.

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FEATURE

CLAIRE ANNE TAYLOR Homegrown muso Claire Anne Taylor is about to head out on a big tour to celebrate the launch of her new album, Giving It Away. Claire and her band will perform gigs from the Theatre Royal to the General Store at Sisters Beach before heading to the mainland, with her young family along for the ride. We had a little catch up with Claire just before she started to pack her bags.

What was your Tasmanian childhood like? I had a rare and beautiful childhood. The older I get, the more I come to appreciate just how special it was to be born in a barn built by my parents in the Tamanian wilderness. I grew up on a bush property in north-west Tasmania, nestled on the edge of the Tarkine rainforest and my childhood was spent building manfern cubbies, climbing sassafras trees, playing in the creek and hurling roadkill under our barn for the family of Tassie devils living there.

Where is home now? I am still in Tassie but now I am based in the Huon Valley with my husband, our son and our old dog Tessie. We have a lovely little piece of bush that we call our home.

What’s the flavour of your new album?

Giving It Away blends my love of old soul and rock and roll with the storytelling

traditions of folk music. At times, the album is gutsy and heavy hitting, with tracks reminiscent of a Zeppelin record and it is also tender and stripped back to the bare bones with some gentle ballads.

The album features an all-Tasmanian lineup of musicians, including: myself on rhythm guitar and vocals, Beau Thomas on drums and vocals, Jethro Pickett on lead guitar, lap steel and vocals, Louis Gill on bass and vocals and Randal Muir on keys and accordion. The album also features lush harmonies by boss female vocalists Hannah Czaban, Lilly Sideris and Nkechi Anele.

You’re a mum of a young fella - has your music-making and touring changed since becoming a mum? When I became a mum I thought I would have to give up on my music career but I soon realised that I wanted to keep doing the thing that brings me so much joy and purpose and to share that with my child, so I started performing again when my son was just three months old. Then when my son was 17 months old, he was diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder called

Angelman Syndrome and I was faced with the same ultimatum of feeling like I should give music away to keep up with his care needs. But to be honest, music was the thing that kept me sane throughout that diagnosis and gave me an outlet to grieve and process our life ahead. So I have come to realise that I need to be making music in order to cope. So that’s what I’m doing. It’s definitely not an easy path; being a musician and the mother of a child with a major disability, but I am having a crack at it for as long as I can make it work.

What are you looking forward to in January? I am most looking forward to finally hitting the road with my family and band, after months of tour preparation. I just can’t wait to take this album to every corner of our beautiful island.

The culmination of our Tassie tour is our album launch at Theatre Royal in Hobart on 27 Jan and this show is going to be filmed and recorded live. It’s not often that Tasmanian musicians get to showcase their music at Theatre Royal so I am just over the moon to be given this opportunity to share this deeply personal album in such a gorgeous space.

When you’re in Hobart, where do you like to eat, shop and get a nature fix?

My favourite place to eat out in Hobart is Bar Wa Izakaya. I just love Japanese cuisine so much and their ramen is incredible! I’m also an op shop addict and I love going into Hobart to rummage through the many wonderful op shops in the hope of finding some treasure. I can’t say I go to Hobart for my nature fix because I live in the bush but I love the feeling of being in such a pretty city with kunanyi providing such a breathtaking backdrop.

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HOROSCOPES

THE YEAR AHEAD 2024 Words: Sara Hewitt Sara is a Hobart based astrologer with over 30 years professional experience.

Find out what the stars have in store for you in 2024.

Find out what the stars have in store for you in 2024.

Aries The New Moon eclipse in April will bring a positive new beginning for many Aries, with new cycles of life and love emerging. Your career sector will become a lot less pressured at around this time, with retirement or a new career likely for some. Your subconscious is highlighted with the most spiritual and insightful energies this year - just be careful to avoid taking on too much responsibility for others.

Love: There are two eclipses affecting your relationship zone this year – one on 25 March and the other on 3 October.

These eclipses may bring new relationships to some, while for others a major change to long term loves may bring about some confusion or stress. Focus on the good stuff. Money: The first half of 2024 is a better time for money than the second, so use the early abundance to save up for the leaner times later. Late April to late May is showing to be the financial highlights.

Taurus A big cycle of intensity and 40

transformation is heading into your career zone in late January bringing opportunities for promotions and business growth.

Jupiter, the planet of good luck, growth and abundance is travelling through your sign until late May. The opportunity to pursue your dreams or a long-desired passion - especially if it is related to travel, learning or abundance.

Love: A quieter year for many Taurus people, although those in long term relationships will need to be flexible and allow for growth as freedom loving Uranus is still around. September to October are good for couples while August is the best time for singles to find love. Money: Good luck and growth energies enter your financial zone in late May, bringing extra money, but also encouraging extravagance and generosity you may not be able to afford.

Gemini Jupiter, the planet of good luck, growth and abundance is travelling through your sign from May through to the end of the year. This is the first time in almost twelve years, making this one of your luckiest years ever. The opportunity to pursue your dreams or a long-desired passion - especially if it is related to travel, learning or abundance. Your career may reach a new height if you have been working hard toward your goals.

Love: Your good energy vibe from Jupiter is likely to help you to attract a new love if you are single and also help you to rise above irritations if you are coupled up.

Romantically, October and November are wonderful for couples, while singles have eclipses in March and October to boost their love luck. Money: June through to July are the best times for you attracting the money you need, while November to early December are likely to bring you the best luck when applying for loans etc.

Cancer Pluto leaves your relationship zone in January bringing peace and calm to your dealings with others. Although some of your friendships are going to bring new energy into your life and perhaps open new doors for you. Your subconscious zone is highlighted by Jupiter’s growth

energy after May, so going within or developing your intuition will be very positive for you.

Love: For some Cancerians, this year could see a passionate awakening of your intimate life - whether you are in a relationship or not. Relationships which have become stale or passionless will either move out of your life, or alternatively you can re-ignite the spark between you which brings an emotional and intimate rebirth to you both. Money: Pluto entering your zone of loans, inheritances and shared money means that you should be very careful about what you take on and with who. For some this will see the big change you have hoped for.

Leo Throughout this year and next you will have a better idea about where you are going and what you want to do with your life. You will be ready to take on challenges and commitments as there will be the strong desire to get ahead and make it. There will be a lot of hard work, but you will be glad for it. For the next couple of years, you will reap what you sow, so make sure you only plant positive energies in your life.

Love: Intense and transformative Pluto moves into your relationship zone in January, which is likely to bring about deep inner changes to your closest partnerships. Beware of jealousy and power games as these will poison your love.

October and November are the best times for singles. Money: You may have been learning some valuable if difficult lessons about money and power in recent times.

Financial stress can teach how to be wise in future, while others may experience a dramatic change for the better.

Virgo This is a wonderful year for you to work towards your dreams and hopes for the future and reach out to old friends and new groups to enhance your life and bring happiness. Good luck planet Jupiter spending most of the year in your career zone will assist those who either own their own business or who are looking to climb the career ladder - just avoid taking on too much for your peace of mind.

Love: Dreamy and spiritual Neptune and serious Saturn are in your relationship zone all year. The only bad side to this is that you will be more open to being confused by love and you may have to decide whether to commit fully and give it everything, or to cut your losses and walk away. Money: Your personal finances are looking fine, especially in September, but you need to be careful with shared money and debts - don’t take on anyone else’s financial problems no matter how much you love them.

Libra There are two eclipses in your sign this year - the first on 25 March and the second on 3 October. These provide a power punch to your life and self and also provide some major new beginnings and the chance for fresh starts. Your daily life is hard work, but if you do the right thing you will reap the rewards later on.

Children are a source of great pleasure and also stress throughout the year.

Love: 9 April brings an eclipse in your relationship zone which could see new loves enter your life or perhaps an old love leave. For couples April is the best time for rekindling romance, while singles will have the best luck in February and December. Pluto in the romance zone makes flings very intense. Money: For some this will be a lucky year which brings a life changing sum of money, but for most Librans September is the time where your money matters are looking the best. Avoid debt if you can.

Scorpio Pluto is moving into your zone of home and family and also of beginnings and endings in January, which may mean that you will be relocating - perhaps overseas - or there will be major changes to your family unit - some good, some of it more difficult. A lot of the sudden changes to your plans and ideas will come from others and their needs, but make sure you don’t compromise too heavily.

Love: The effects of unpredictable and freedom loving Uranus on your love life this year may be unsettling, but also a source of insight for you. For those who feel stifled and restricted by their romantic commitments, this will have to

change so you can be yourself. Money: Your zone of shared money and investments is looking good, so you can expect some unearned money this year - be that a bigger tax refund, inheritance or perhaps sharing the good luck of others.

Sagittarius You have serious, Karmic Saturn in your zone of beginnings and endings, which means that you are likely to bring something or a stage of your life to an end and start again in a new and better way in 2024. Your good luck is likely to come through other people this year - so don’t go it alone or try to be too independent - friends, family and loved ones are all there to help.

Love: The arrival of good luck and abundance Jupiter in your relationship zone in May is going to bring a lot of growth to your closest partnerships. You may find that you can be more philosophical and not sweat the small stuff so much with other’s faults and shortcomings. Money: A lot of pressure and intensity around money is likely to ease off this year - so enjoy the peace. Best times for savings are June and July and for personal money in November. Be cautious about deals.

Capricorn Since 2008 you have had intense and transformative Pluto moving through your sign and this January that comes to an end - allowing you to relax and have a quieter and less dramatic year. Children and young people are going to be a happy, if unexpected, delight for some - especially if you are hoping to become a parent or grandparent. Daily life will be rewarding and happy.

Love: As a lot of the intense Pluto energy will be out of your personality and life after late January, you are going to be a lot easier for your loved ones to live with.

Jealousy and insecurity should be easier to manage. The best times for couples are June and July and for singles May and June. Money: Pluto entering your money zone for a stay of over 20 years is a sign that your finances are likely going to change dramatically. Be structured and organised in your budgets and bills.

Aquarius Intense and transformative Pluto enters your sign in January and will stay there for over 20 years. Aquarians are the sign doing the most transformation to themselves and their lives and undergoing deep and meaningful rebirth and letting go all year. Just don’t hang on to what you have outgrown. Lucky and abundant Jupiter will move into your zone of good fortune so you may strike it big.

Love: A great second half of the year for singles as Jupiter is going to give your love life a real boost - the only trouble is you may find it hard to settle on just one person! For couples things will be quieter, with July and early August the best times to connect and be romantic.

Singles favour June. Money: This is a pretty bad year for lending or borrowing money – and you would be best advised sticking with very conventional and safe investments rather than anything which is risky or unclear.

Pisces Serious, Karmic Saturn is in your sign all year, giving you the opportunity to become organised, and practical in any area of your life which is chaotic.

Used wisely, Saturn can bring structure, stability, and strong foundations. The flip side is that the consequences of the past will catch up and be hard to get out of.

Dreamy and spiritual Neptune helps you to tap into your intuition and spirituality.

Love: This should be a quieter and low drama year for you romantically and in your relationships. A wonderful time for settling in and really focusing on the day-to-day routine together and how that feels for you both. Best times for couples is August and for singles June through to July. Money: Two eclipses in your financial zone on 25 March and 3 October are likely to bring about turning points in your financial life. Windfalls and unexpected bills are equally likely.

Investments are favourable.

If you would like a private psychic or astrology reading with Sara either face to face or by zoom or email, please go to www.stargold.com.au for more information and to book.

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SEASONAL EATING

compaction of soil by machinery, use IT’S A BERRY woodchips as mulch to keep soil covered, in moisture and to keep the grass GOOD TIME TO lock down, and experiment with cover crops during autumn and spring to promote GO PICKING! biodiversity.

Words: Ollie Benson Christmas is done, the new year is upon us, and summer is finally here. With that comes a seasonal fruit that has become synonymous with Tassie summers. No, not cherries. Blueberries!

January sees the start of what should be a regular in everyone’s calendars, the pickyour-own season at Old Beach Berries, a blueberry farm on the outskirts of Hobart, owned and farmed by David and Cathryn.

They bought the farm in November 2019, with a vision to walk gently on the land, grow the tastiest blueberries, and work closely with their community.

The Tasmanian climate is recognised as one of the best in the world for growing blueberries. The fruit itself is easy to pick, they are delicious to eat straight from the bush, are fabulous in smoothies, ice creams, jams and desserts, they freeze well and they contain vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that provide notable health benefits. If you have space and the right soil conditions in your backyard, blueberry bushes are also relatively simple to grow and maintain.

However, it still requires a lot of careful management to produce nutritious, tasty berries at scale. David and Cathryn are passionate about regenerative farming practices and soil health. They don’t use pesticides or herbicides, minimise

The results of this management are evident in the flavour of Old Beach blueberries. There are around 3000 blueberry bushes on their farm with two main varieties, Brigittas and Elliotts. Brigittas are their main crop and are a beautiful, sweet berry (it’s a well-kept secret that the smaller Brigittas are the sweetest). The Elliotts are dusted white with bloom and are a firmer berry with a robust flavour.

Cathryn says that some people find them a bit sour, and others absolutely love them.

In recent years there has been a big push in the growth and development of the agritourism industry in Tasmania. Farm stays and paddock to plate experiences are popular, there are of course many beautiful wineries to visit, and pick-yourown berry farms are becoming much loved by locals and tourists alike.

This summer make the most of the blueberry season, find time for on-farm experiences such as blueberry picking, and stock up your freezers to make the most of one of Tasmania’s finest fruits.

BLUEBERRY CRUMBLE SLICE Ingredients: 150 g (1⅔ cups) rolled oats 180 g (1½ cups) plain flour 130 g (¾ cup) light brown soft sugar ⅓ tsp baking powder ¼ tsp salt ½ tsp cinnamon 175 g (⅔ cup) butter (you can also use vegan butter) 2 tsp cornflour 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice 400 g blueberries Method: Preheat the oven to 190C, gas mark 5. Grease a 20cm square tin and line with baking paper. Mix together the oats, flour, baking powder, sugar, cinnamon and salt in a large bowl. Add the butter and rub in using your fingertips until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Tip about two thirds of the mixture into the tin.

Level and pack it very firmly. Bake

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One of David and Cathryn’s main goals is to make their farm a place that people want to come to. At Old Beach Berries, spending several hours casually walking up and down the rows of blueberries, picking bucketfuls of ripe fruit to take home is a real joy. The pair are also very active in their community, supporting local groups such as the Tasmanian Junior Beekeepers, advocating for other farmers and producers, and are regulars at Farm Gate and Salamanca Markets.

for 15 minutes or until golden around the edges. To make the filling, mix the cornflour and lemon juice in a large bowl to form a paste then stir in the berries. Pour the filling over the cooked base and spread level. Scatter over the remaining crumble mixture.

Bake for 25-30 minutes until the crumble is golden and the filling is bubbling. Leave to cool in the tin then carefully lift it out using the baking paper, cut into squares and serve.

NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS! Work Functions - Hens Nights - Birthdays Social Get-Togethers - Private/Public Events

Open 7 days & Pet friendly!

Visit the Airwalk, experience the Eagle Hang Glider or book the Twin River Rafting adventure.

The Huon Pine Walk is now open and is pram and wheelchair friendly!

Book online or contact us to enquire!

WWW.FRIDAS.COM.AU/OUR-STUDIOS/HOBART

43

PSYCHOLOGY

THE DEATH OF YOU: THE PHOENIX RISES. Words: Annia Baron As a child, Lady Gaga was bullied and thrown into a rubbish bin. Tennis great Monica Seles was stabbed during one of her matches. Whoopi Goldberg saw two planes colliding, and Shia LaBeouf was only a young boy when he witnessed his mother being raped.

The brain and body are encoded with a specific set of responses to navigate traumatic experiences. These reactions protect and prepare us to deal with threats. We’ve often heard the term fightflight-freeze, but trauma in adolescents and adults can also include fright (when fear eradicates our ability to think clearly), flag (the numbing of emotions) and faint (in extreme cases, the body responds by fainting).

What exactly is trauma?

Trauma has been described as big T versus little t. Big T traumas are life threatening events such as a car accident, natural disasters, or a violent crime, as well as acute psychological traumas like the death of a parent or chronic, ongoing trauma associated with abuse. Little t traumas don’t typically involve disaster or violence but cause immense distress, like losing a pet, a relationship breakup, job loss, or rejection by a friendship group.

While these don’t threaten immediate safety, they produce the same reactions as those in big T traumas. In fact, there is now evidence to suggest that repeated exposure to little t traumas can cause more emotional harm than exposure to one big T trauma. Either way, we know that experiences of trauma can instigate or co-occur with physical ailments, substance abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions.

experience solely negative effects. In the last few decades, researchers have uncovered that after traumatic events which are followed by experiences of devastation and struggle, people may ultimately find a deep sense of personal developmentᶺ.

They term this unfolding as posttraumatic growth (PTG). Common indicators of PTG include positive changes in self-perception, interpersonal relationships, and philosophy of life. This leads to increased self-awareness and confidence, a more open attitude towards others, a deeper appreciation of things, and discovering new, enriching possibilities.

Why does PTG happen?

Regardless of how it’s labelled, big or little t traumas have the power to disturb deeply entrenched beliefs and patterns of behaviour. This is because of the immense activity that occurs in the brain, the nervous system, and throughout the body. The opportunity to confront the trauma and attune into these changes can force a completely new way of thinking – about ourselves, our relationships, and the world. The process can resemble the death of you: the letting go of old paradigms and the emergence of an emotionally, spiritually, and psychologically new you.

Although posttraumatic growth often happens naturally, it may be facilitated in various ways: •

•

• Posttraumatic growth But not all survivors of trauma go on to 44

Emotional regulation: the opportunity to connect with emotions such as guilt, shame, or anger can help reframe what’s happened and help us use our emotions in an adaptive way.

Exploration: it’s common to ask, “Why did this happen?” or “What do I do now?” When our assumptions and core beliefs are challenged, we’re forced to question the kind of world we live in and what the future will look like, but it also allows us to discover and clarify what we value in life, and how we want to move forward.

Support: talking about what’s happened with a trusted person or mental health professional can help

•

•

make sense of things and produce more insightful reflections.

Narrative development: creating an authentic narrative about the trauma can help us accept what’s occurred and empower ourselves to write the new chapters of our life in a meaningful way.

Service: People often do better in the aftermath of trauma if their story, time, and energy can be used in a way that also benefits others.

Lady Gaga, Whoopi, Monica and LeBouf have spoken openly about the difficulties they’ve endured over the years. But like so many others, their courage to pursue a happy life reminds us that hope resides in all of us and no matter how the ashes fall, together we rise. We can’t always control what happens in life, but we can control what we decide to do with it.

Whether you’ve experienced little ts or big Ts, you are deserving of all that is love and freeing. And as Rumi spoke, “A heart filled with love is like a phoenix that no cage can imprison.”

Annia Baron is a mum, a Clinical Psychologist & Mindset Coach. Want to learn more about mindset tools to create a life you desire and deserve? Get in touch on Instagram @anniabaron or visit www. remindyourself.com.

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HISTORY

MYSTERIOUS INCIDENTS OF THE BASS STRAIT TRIANGLE Words: Peta Hen You might have heard of the Bermuda Triangle, but have you heard about the Bass Strait Triangle? I certainly hadn’t.

When I recently learned about the disappearance of the aeroplane, Miss Hobart, I was keen to know more. Sure enough, like its infamous Atlantic cousin, it seems a string of mysterious and strange events have occurred in the small stretch of sea between Tassie and Melbourne.

165 years ago, the first recorded major incident in the Bass Strait Triangle was the case of the HMS Sappho. This ship disappeared without a trace while en route from Cape Town to Sydney. The vessel was last sighted entering the Bass Strait in February 1858, however, concerns were raised when she failed to port later that same year. Over 100 lives were presumed lost and with no wreckage found, the Sappho became one of the Bass Strait’s first mysteries.

Sixty-two years later the SS Amelia J., carrying a crew of twelve vanished without a trace on 10 September 1920.

The schooner sailing ship, which was bound for Hobart, was last seen off Jervis Bay. When it failed to arrive, it sparked the biggest search mission for a vessel in Australian history at that time. The search focussed on the Furneaux Group of Islands in the east of Bass Strait. During the search, another ship, the SS Southern Cross also disappeared, along with Aicro DH.9A: an aircraft which was searching 46

for the SS Amelia J.. Wreckage of the Southern Cross was eventually found on King Island, however, the ill-fated SS Amelia J. and Airco DH.9A were never heard from again.

Fourteen years later, the Bass Strait Triangle would claim airliner, De Havilland Express Miss Hobart, the disappearance that piqued my interest.

Nine passengers and two pilots vanished without a trace while on a flight from Launceston to Melbourne on 30 October, 1934. What makes this incident particularly interesting is that flying conditions were reported as being ‘good with excellent visibility’. However, during the flight, an eerie transmission from the Miss Hobart stated that they could hear the sounds of other aerial machines around them before the droning sounds suddenly stopped. This would be the last transmission from the aircraft and no identifiable wreckage was ever found.

While these mysteries are odd, the causes can be boiled down to bad weather, engine malfunctions and/or human error. That’s what my logical brain says. Despite this, some unexplainable incidents have occurred in Bass Strait.

According to the Tasmanian Aviation Historical Society, during WWII, seventeen military aircraft were lost despite no enemy activity in the Strait and in 1944, the crew of a Bristol Beaufort bomber reported seeing a dark shadow flying alongside them before shooting upwards into the sky and vanishing. Spooky! The most infamous unexplainable incident, however, is the Valentich Disappearance.

On 21 October, 1978, pilot Frederick

Valentich and the Cessna he was flying disappeared while on a training flight from Melbourne to King Island.

The twenty-year-old pilot reported to Melbourne air traffic control that something was flying roughly 300 metres above him at high speed and that he had begun to have engine trouble. His final words before his transmission was interrupted by an unidentifiable noise were, “It’s not an aircraft.” While investigations yielded little into what had happened during the flight, one explanation was that Valentich had become disorientated and was flying upside down or had put the aircraft into a graveyard spiral, mistaking his own reflection for a UFO. Unidentified flying objects aside, what is it about Bass Strait that makes it torturous for vessels and aircraft to traverse through? Turns out it’s due to the sea floor being so shallow with an average depth of 50 metres. This combined with gale-force winds and strong tidal flow makes for extremely tall waves and a churned-up swell, leaving the vessels and aircraft of history at its mercy. As for UFO sightings, those aren’t so easily explained by geography and bad weather. Real or not, it doesn’t take anything away from Tasmania’s very own mysterious and notorious Bass Strait Triangle.

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Work week behind,

wilderness ahead

Dee Lagoon, Tasmania www.hydro.com.au/things-to-do 48