THE HOBART MAGAZINE
FREE
/ February 2020: ISSUE 12
I N D E P E N D E N T + LO C A L
George Bailey O n cric k et, fa m ily, and h i s infl u ential ne w role .
February 2020
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Steve Howie
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Falls Festival
Pictures: James Marten
Winner Comanche crossing the Sydney to Hobart finish line.
Editorial Editor: Steph Williams Art Direction: Meng Koach Advertising advertise@thehobartmagazine.com.au Publisher Steph Williams Cover image:Dan Cripps Circulation 32,000 copies are distributed each issue, with 27,000 delivered to homes and 5,000 to cafes and public places. Our reach is from Bridgewater down to Huonville and out to Dodges Ferry, on both sides of the river. Publisher Information While all care has been taken, some information may have changed since publication. The Hobart Magazine regrets it can’t accept liabilities from errors or omissions contained in this magazine. The publisher reserves the right to refuse, withdraw or amend all advertisements without explanation. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is prohibited. The views expressed in articles and advertisements are not endorsed by the editor or publishers. We welcome any questions or feedback, email editor@thehobartmagazine.com.au.
W e lc o m e to
THE HOBART MAGAZINE The start of 2020 has been a time of reflection, partly driven by the devastating bushfires, partly driven by the fact it’s actually now 2020. It’s a date that once felt so far away but it’s now here. Is 2020 going to be a year of seeing clearly with “2020 vision”? All we can say is this year we’re planning on sharing even more stories about what makes Hobart Hobart - the people, the places, the business, the frustrations and the aspirations. This month we chat with cricketer George Bailey about his next steps now his playing career is over and he moves into the role of national selector for the Australian men’s team. We also discuss the merits of hydrogen power, take a weekender to Launceston, explore an eco resort in far north Queensland and chat with Heather Rose about her book Bruny, a great summer read. We love hearing your feedback about what you’d like to see more of in our pages, so keep up those emails! If you’re reading The Hobart Magazine for the first time, we’re so pleased you found one of the 32,000 copies out there! Cheers, Steph editor@thehobartmagazine.com.au
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WHAT'S INSIDE... 03 Welcome 06 Local Lady 08 Local Lad 10 Hobart Happenings 14 Cover Story - George Bailey 18 Calendar 20 Feature - Transport Tracker 22 Science - Hydrogen 24 Nutrition 26 Dining Out 28 Travel On The Island 30 Travel Off The Island 32 Psychology 33 Feature - Plant-based meat 34 History 35 Photos
In between the rock shelves at Clifton Beach, South Arm, shot by Dan Woodward.
Local lady
Heather Rose Interview Emma Castle
Heather Rose is an awardwinning author of eight novels, including her latest, Bruny. What do you love about where you live? The sound of the waves on the shore. What’s the best thing about Hobart? The people. The beauty. The clouds. And the worst? How many people are doing it tough. The way our beaches are closed through summer through complete incompetence in caring for our river. Our overcrowded classrooms. Our under-resourced hospital. Our under-resourced schools. Poor literacy and numeracy outcomes. Unemployment. Underemployment. Poor casual rates of pay. Should I go on? Tell us a little about your work? I write novels so it takes intense discipline. I work at home. I’m at my desk by 9am, if not before. To write I need seclusion, quiet and tea. I write for 6 – 8 hours each day. Often more. It’s rare to take a whole day off. There is an intense amount of research in every novel. I do some of that research from home or in libraries. I often interview people for my books too. 6
The writing life is a strange mix of a being extremely private and then having to be a public person. I have to travel quite a bit at the moment to attend festivals and events. Travel eats into writing time but it’s part of what’s expected of writers now. It’s also lovely to meet readers around Australia and overseas – and my fellow writers.
Favourite team? Argentina.
I’ve wanted to be a writer since I was very young, so fulfilling that dream is quite amazing for me. I wake up every day so grateful to be able to work from home doing something that I love. There’s no security in the writing life, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
What do you love doing outside work? Seeing my grown-up children, hanging out with friends. Gardening, swimming, making cake, dancing, taking walks, being outside under the stars.
Where’s your favourite eatery? My kitchen. Drink of choice and where do you head for it? Tea with friends on the back deck. Guilty pleasure? I rarely feel guilty about anything.
What do you never leave home without? Water, a journal and a pen. When there's nothing to do, I . . . Read. Favourite Hobart secret? The blue skies of winter.
Where to next? A memoir, another children’s book and a novel that begins in the 18th century. Quote to live by? ‘Every day is a great day.’ (My Dad) ■
Local lad
Richard Sprent Interview Genevieve Morton
Richard Sprent has turned his life-long obsession with books into a career at his Hobart bookshop Cracked & Spineless. He’s a man so busy, he fantasises about one day being bored. What do you love about the suburb you live in? I live in West Hobart. It’s convenient for me, because it’s close to my work. And then there’s Hill Street Grocer, where I can buy all the ridiculous ingredients I need for the ridiculous meals I cook as my medicine for winding down from my ridiculous job. Often served at 1am. What's the best thing about Hobart? I have one day off a week. I don’t see much sunlight. My bookshop has no windows. But at least I know that on Sundays, I can get in my car and be outside the city limits within 30 minutes.
of a recommendation I gave. What can be better than that?
Social media, it’s a full time job for me.
Where's your favourite eatery? Dandy Lane. Because their food is amazing, their staff are wonderful. And they are 20 metres away from my shop.
When there's nothing to do, I.... There is always something to do. I wish I had nothing to do. I have nostalgic fantasies about being bored...
And the worst? Trying to find something to do on Sundays.
Drink of choice and where do you head for it? Coffee from Yellow Bernard. But I also drink a lot of juice during the day, and wine at night. You’ll find me at Hill St Grocer nearly every day buying some sort of liquid. Guilty pleasure? Cricket. A guy who runs a bookshop who likes CRICKET?
Favourite Hobart secret? My bookshop. Duh!
Tell us a little about your work... I sell books. It’s my life and my obsession. I do it differently from anyone else. Books have always been my obsession, and I love the vicarious thrill of bringing others into my little world. Parents come in and tell me that their kid is now reading because 8
What do you never leave home without? My phone.
What do you love doing outside work? Cooking, hanging out with my girlfriend and my son, and squeezing in a page or two of a book before I sink into my nightly coma. Quote to live by? “This is life! We suffer and slave and expire. That’s it.” - Bernard Black ■
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HOBART HAPPENINGS Try Dragon Boating
Over the gym, or bored of your usual walk/run route? Dragon boating is a fantastic way to maintain fitness and make new mates. Ali Mourant, head coach of Derwent Storms Dragon Boat Club shared, “Our club is open to women and men 30 years of age and over. We always welcome people to come and try our wonderful sport, paddling on the glistening water of the Derwent River, under the shadow of our beautiful kunanyi / Mount Wellington.” A free trial paddling session is on every Saturday morning (weather permitting) from 8am to 9.30am. Enquire via derwentstorms@gmail.com
Free Kingston Park Run
Every Saturday at 9am, runners gather at Kingston Park to compete against the clock over 5km. It’s a free event and open to everyone, all you have to do is register once before your first run at parkrun.com.au/ kingstonpark/ and bring your barcode. There are other runs on around Hobart too, check website for details.
Changing the guard at Shippies
Patrons at the Shipwright's Arms will recognise a familiar face behind the bar these days. Hobart Hurricanes player, James Faulkner recently teamed up with Paul and Karen Jubb (Customs House) and Nick Bedding to takeover the pub in Battery Point. It’s 10
The Derwent Storms in action
one of Hobart’s oldest pubs and traditionally a favourite among sailors. “We started with Phat Fish in Salamanca two years ago, then the freehold of Shippies popped up,” James shared. “We’re tossing a few things up in the air with renovating - getting the accommodation rooms up to scratch, potentially building over the top of the car park. Modern it up and make it all flow with the other houses in the community. We don’t want to go and change anything structurally. We’ve got a few designs at the moment, to get the beer garden in the middle of it and get everyone up the road where they used to come! I enjoy the front of house. It gives me a bit of an outlet to get away from sport.
Please Delete My Photo
Late last year, the State Government (and Victorian Government) uploaded 410,000 drivers licence photos as part of the National Driver Licence Facial Recognition Solution. Richard Griggs is the Tasmanian Director of Civil Liberties Australia and has set up deletemyphoto.net to garner support for people to opt out. “The aim is to
protect Australians from identify theft. However, concerns have been raised that there’s nothing to stop its use being expanded in the future,” Richard shared. “A group of people are forming who will request their photo be deleted from the database in Canberra.” Head to the website to add your name to the list if you’re concerned.
Get Rollin’
The annual Women on Wheels bicycle ride turns 20 this year. It’s for those who’d like to ride more but don’t have the confidence to go it alone just yet. The ride kicks off Tasmanian Bike Week events on 1 March, at Long House, Macquarie Point at 10 am. There are three rides to choose from and at the end Banjo’s Bakery is providing lunch. Tickets are $10 for Bicycle Network members and riders under 16, and $15 for other riders. Register at biketas.org. au/wow2020.
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HOBART HAPPENINGS Intergenerational Playgroup in Glenorchy
You might have seen the heartwarming TV show, Old People’s Home for Four Year Olds last year. Hobart kids will love the Intergenerational Playgroup on Friday mornings at 10:30am Glenview in Glenorchy. It’s $5 for family or $3 for one child. Glenview is at 2 Windsor Court, Glenorchy and you can book a spot via
westmoonahcommunityhouse.com
Sustainable Hill Street Grocer
Spotted while shopping at Sandy Bay recently was a new type of shopping trolley made from 66 recycled milk bottles. Using recycled Australian plastic, the trolleys are a great initiative to help reduce the environmental impact of our shopping habits. And in the South Hobart store, 100% biodegradable and compostable bags for fruit and vegetables made from corn. Every little bit counts.
Jazz Around Hobart in February
Music lovers are spoilt this month with two Jazz festivals to enjoy. First is
the Clarence Jazz Festival, an eight-day music festival from 16-23 February. Then from 27 February - 1 March, JAZZAMANCA is at the Salamanca Arts Centre.
Scholars Wide
Water Restrictions
Stage One water restrictions are currently in place and will be until at least the end of this month. We didn’t see that coming and with no public lead time, maybe the government didn’t either? In any case at the moment garden and lawn watering is allowed on any day during certain times depending on the method (like automatic and manual systems). Handheld hoses with a trigger nozzle, buckets or watering cans may be used at any time. Beyond these restrictions, it’s good to be conscious of your water use anyway and cut down where you can.
Council Theatrics
Who needs to go to the theatre when you have it for free at our local council meetings! We recently attended a Hobart City Council meeting with interest in a matter in our local neighbourhood and were thoroughly entertained - theatrical objections, dramatic points of order and personal soapboxes being wheeled out for extended monologues. But the best part is, you don’t even need to attend in person, you can listen in online. Check your local council’s website for dates and times and get involved.
THUMBS UP Ordinary people giving their hard earned cash over to bushfire appeals and celebrities mobilising their audiences to donate.
Banning mobile phones in schools. With the kids back in school, let’s see how it improves productivity and connection.
If you’re shopping online anyway, you may as well make it count. @spendwiththem was created to highlight small businesses in bushfire affected areas.
Summer festival season is almost over! Get out and make the most of the awesome events on this month.
THUMBS DOWN Had gastro recently? We’re told on good authority it happens every summer as the germ pool expands with all the extra visitors.
The devastating losses of wildlife in bushfires are adding up, with some species heading toward the endangered list.
Share your ups and downs at editor@thehobartmagzine.com.au
COVER FEATURE
George Bailey
Interview Stephanie Williams
H
obart local George Bailey calls time on his international and domestic cricket playing career this month, moving into the role of national selector for the Australian men’s team. Did you make an active choice to pursue cricket when you were a kid? No, it was just a thing. Sport was really big. Mum played hockey and tennis and dad played cricket and tennis. As long as I can remember, there were bats and balls and racquets at home and that was just a big part of life. When you were growing up, did you have aspirations to lead and play internationally or did that develop over time? I had no idea. In winter, I loved
football, in summer I loved cricket, and tennis was all year round. But as a child I just wanted to play all of them for as long as I could. And then you made the move from Launceston to the big smoke of Hobart for uni. A few friends were moving down after we'd finished school. I figured if I was going to take the next step sports-wise, I had to be here. Uni was a long journey for me. I started with a commerce degree and I actually just finished my Master's of Business Administration this semester. Did being in Hobart make it easier to pursue cricket, and did that take away
“As long as I can remember, there were bats and balls and racquets at home”
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Sheffield Shield, 2019
and travelling overseas for a number of reasons. It's made me appreciate home and how lucky we are. It's amazing when you travel to parts of the world and they say, "We're famous for our seafood," and you try it and you think yeah, nah…? Having access to nature and being so close to a major city. All of those things, brought home to me how special Tasmania and Australia is. The great thing about cricket is we play it in summer, so there was a period of about 13 years where I had very limited access to Tassie's winters. I was out of there! The places are one thing, but also the people, and that's the one thing that I've been most grateful for sports-wise, is that the sport lasts a period of time, but the friendships and being able to go back to India until I'm 60, 70, 80 and being able to reconnect with those people, or England or South Africa, Sri Lanka, that's going to be the greatest. Is it harder for younger players coming through now to manage the business side of their life? No, it's well supported. As you said, there's so many domestic competitions worldwide, there's so many international options, there's three different international formats. It’s pretty unique for a sport to have three different ways to the top echelon. I think young players have great opportunity there. The one thing I do feel sorry for them is the scrutiny and the pressure that seems to come from the way we live our lives through social media. It’s a constant and everevolving challenge.
The Ashes win in 2014.
Tasmania has produced some fine cricketers and strong leaders. Why do you think that is? One of the great things about living in Tassie is we don't spend huge amounts of time commuting, particularly as children, which means we have lots of leisure time. Growing up in Longford the sense of community meant there was a good level of trust around, having good freedom as a child. That meant you were able to play a lot. That informal way of playing and learning becomes very important once you trace people's stories back to how they became as good as they are. On leadership, I can't speak back to Boonie's era, but in the 20 years that I've been part of Tassie cricket, we've just tried to forge a sense of team and a strong culture, and we haven't really tolerated people who don't want to buy into the vision of ‘the team comes first’. The politics of cricket is complex and there's heat and passion coming from supporters. In your new role as Australian men’s selector, how do you plan to navigate the varying expectations? Well, my eyes are wide open to the fact that selectors end up never being popular! The joke is there are 26 million unofficial selectors in Australia and three official ones. But the fact we have a public who are so passionate and have such strong opinions is great. There's sports that would kill for that level of interest and passion.
Pictures: Getty Images, George Bailey.
from your studies? It did, but only because cricket took off, so there were a lot of international and interstate trips, so it just made it hard to get there. Uni has changed a lot in terms of access to online courses and flexibility provided to athletes now. If you wanted to pursue playing for Tasmania you had to be in Hobart to have access to the facilities and the coaching staff and best players. It didn't take long for that to become the main priority. The business of cricket is big, with many more domestic and international competition options now. You've been able to live in some pretty interesting places around the world. What effect does that have on players? My generation was really interesting. When we were young, the older players had all been semi-professional or amateurs. Then they were the first generation to start being paid enough to become professional. So we saw these guys who had been working outside jobs become cricketers full time, which probably meant for the first few years we were a bit lazier than we should have been! All the young ones now are doing some sort of study or personal development. I've loved living
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COVER FEATURE I'm a bit naive as to how my role will work, but one thing I think I can make a strong impact on quite quickly, being one of the youngest selectors they've had for a while, is bridging that level of expectation on communication between the players and the selectors, and bringing a really clear perspective of what the current players are after. Being a selector so soon after retiring would actually be such a benefit. Absolutely. And being aware of every time you're making a great phone call and telling someone they're fulfilling their childhood dream of being able to play for Australia, you're also at the same time breaking someone's heart. For probably the majority, that might be the only chance they get, so it's trying to balance that devastating blow and trying to put the support network around those guys so they're in a good place mentally and can still go and perform domestically, and get back to playing for Australia. But at the same time, the feeling you get from being able to tell people that they're about to debut for Australia. It obviously has a big impact on that person, but the also their family and the mums and dads who have taken them to training all those years. What sort of time commitment is being a selector? Is it a full time gig? Well, officially yes. Clearly there are times when you’ll be a lot busier than others. We touched briefly on social media stuff, but there's been some really public cases of cricketers and sportsmen struggling with that mental pressure of what it's like. Us trying to develop a framework for how we can help and support the players around that sort of thing, I think all of that becomes part of the role as well. You're obviously trying to pick teams when those are on, but you're also trying to continually improve and develop the structure around the players in generally. What else do you have on the horizon for after February? I've got two young children (four years and 20 months), so one of the flip sides of playing for 20 years is hopefully spending longer stints at home with them. Despite all the travel, I’m a homebody. I love being at home and cooking and gardening and taking it easy. The selector role happened really quickly and probably fast tracked the decision to retire. I think there'll be some opportunities that will pop up over the next 12 months that hopefully I can stay involved in the Tasmanian community.
You've been described as one of the most “respected, thoughtful and generous figures in international cricket." How have you crafted that over the years? On holiday with wife Katie I think family is huge, not that you'd appreciate it at the Upton and their kids. time, but I have an incredibly supportive and loving family. I've never felt like I really belonged at the upper echelon, so I've always been very grateful, and for that I've always tried to enjoy the little things. When I've had the opportunity to travel, I try and not just make it about cricket grounds and hotels and try and get out and explore to get a sense of the culture and the people of wherever you might be. Trying to keep a big picture outlook has been the way that I deal with that sort of stuff. What do you love about Hobart? I love the fact that we have seasons. If we didn't have those, like when you've really had enough of winter, I don't think we'd appreciate our summer. I love how Hobart changes each and every year. Where's your favorite spot for a bite to eat? Ti Ama, Suzie Luck's. To grab a drink? Willing Brothers. And a mate, one of the cricketers, James Faulkner, just bought Shippies, so I better give that a plug! Favorite spot for beach time or a bush walk? We spend lots of time at either Bellerive or Howrah beach, find our sneaky little corners in there. If we're going bush walking we just tend to go up and around Mount Wellington. What do you hate about Hobart? What’s your pain point? I’ve got two things. Trying to get your favourite bands to come down so we can access really top live music, and connecting flights. Unless it’s Melbourne or Sydney, too many times we have to get that 6am out just so we can get the connector. And what do you love about Blundstone Arena? It doesn't happen often, perhaps only after we've won premierships or titles, but seeing the sun come up in the morning from Bellerive Oval is pretty special! I haven't had the opportunity to go there socially too often, it tends to be work. But with my new role, I'll be looking for somewhere to sit, so maybe if anyone's got any good secret seats that are out of the wind, that'd be great! ■
“Seeing the sun come up in the morning from Bellerive Oval is pretty special!”
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The best time to apply for your
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What's On In Hobart Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Image: Tourism Tasmania, Hobart Brewing Co, Festa Italia.
Monday
Friday
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The Moonah Arts Centre kick off their Friday Nights Live: Funky Summer session tonight $10 on the door, free for kids under 12.
Blues, Brews and BBQs
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It’s the final day of the 182nd Hobart Regatta today AND it’s a public holiday so get out and enjoy the water.
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Hobart Library is hosting a small group session of rhymes, songs and stories for newborn babies to 6 months of age.
Sommeliers Australia's Pip Anderson and Stan Zheng will guide you through winners from the Halliday 2019 Chardonnay Challenge at MONA. Book online.
Festa Italia
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Fascinated by The Handmaid's Tale? Canadian poet and novelist Margaret Atwood is on stage tonight discussing her new book, The Testaments.
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Join Anita Gowers at Hobart Library as she chats all things frames and frame-making in nineteenth century Colonial Australia.
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The International
Take a walk on Maria Island
Ocean Film Tour features the best ocean adventures, environmental documentaries, inspiring short films and water sports action of the year.
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The Makerspace Family Afternoon is on today at the Glenorchy Library, for 6 years and over, play with Virtual Reality, Spheros, LittleBits and more.
Devonport Twilight Market
National Penny Farthing Championship
FEBRUARY Calendar
Further Afield Saturday
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Get excited kids. The Wiggles are ready to party at 10am today at Wrest Point.
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Drag Queen Murder Mystery is an immersive night of camp cabaret entertainment while trying to sleuth out the murderer.
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The 2020 Bushy Park Show is on today with animals, home industries, woodchopping and a bar!
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Listen to some tunes, enjoy a few drinks at the Blues Brews & BBQs festival at Hobart Brewing Co today.
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Head along to the 7th annual Wellness Expo at PW1 from 10am – 3pm, put on by West Moonah Community House and Rotary Tasmania.
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Sunday
American post-punk rockers Everclear hit the stage at The Odeon tonight. Meet and greet tickets on sale too.
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Join three of Australia’s top bush poets for the Dodges Ferry Bush Poets Breakfast and bush dance.
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Join the
Empowered Man men’s gathering is on tonight, practicing mindfulness, meditation, breathwork, body movement to inspire greater personal connection.
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Love Living Locally celebrates sustainable living in Kingborough. Festa Italia is also on at the Italian Club, North Hobart.
FEB 1 Learn how to make your favourite cheeses at Fork and Farm Homestead at Glengarry. Other dates are available too. FEB 2 Catch the end of Festivale in Launceston’s City Park for food, drinks and entertainment. FEB 6 The last ever Party in the Paddock kicks off today outside Launnie with Matt Corby, Hermitude and Briggs. FEB 9 Spend the morning learning to sew (or get a refresher) at Flossy Fabrics in Launceston. FEB 11 Seedlab is a new incubator for Tassie food businesses, join their Launceston session today at Bread&Butter. Other sessions are on state wide. FEB 14 Take your valentine on a Vegan Walking Tour of Launceston, sharing the best vegan eats on offer. Other dates available too. FEB 15 The North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos will kick off their second AFLW season in Tassie against the GWS Giants at University of Tasmania Stadium.
FEB 16 Wear a white t-shirt to Colour Devonport 2020 and enjoy a family friendly run/walk through colour stations, fundraising for Bravehearts. FEB 21 The Twilight Market is on at Providore Place in Devonport tonight from 5pm. FEB 22 See the spectacle of the National Penny Farthing Championships and enjoy the Evandale Village Fair today. FEB 23 Ulverstone’s Festival in the Park celebrates lifestyle, food, wine and entertainment of the North West Coast. Proceeds to local projects. FEB 26 Regardless of how you feel about horse racing, it’s Launceston Cup Day today and also a public holiday. FEB 29 The Bridport Summer Party 2020 is on with great food, drinks, live music, kids entertainment on Main Street. FEB 29 Tasmania’s Gone Nuts 101 Adventure Run starts on today in Stanley with 101km and 50km courses through epic coastal landscapes and private properties.
Got an event coming up in Tassie? Email us at editor@thehobartmagazine.com.au 19
Feature Worse than Davey Street in the afternoon!
Transport Trackers - Your New Timewaster Words Stephanie Williams
I
t was almost 2am and US singer Halsey had just finished her set and was being whisked off stage at Falls Festival and into her waiting Tesla.
There are a few different apps and websites that track transport. Calling on satellite information gathered from Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) receivers, they share real-time information about thousands of aircraft around the world. One of the most popular is Flightradar24 (www. flightradar24.com). It started as a hobby project in 2006 when two Swedish aviation enthusiasts (#avgeeks) built a network of ADS-B receivers in Northern
It’s compelling to see what’s happening in different airspace around the world (hello Ukraine, Syria, Libya) or to take a peek at a random plane flying off by itself on the map.
On the road out, just by chance If you’re concerned about our photographer James was emissions from planes through, heading home. He was overtaken it will probably turn you even by the convoy and sat behind further off plane travel. At any them all the way back into given time there are thousands Hobart. Halsey’s car peeled off to and thousands of planes in the the left at the Airport and she was air, Flight Radar even has a delivered to the waiting private counter of how many flights are jet on the tarmac. occurring in real time. “At any given time there are thousands Next time you’re Being in the know with plane and thousands of planes in the air” running late to the airport trackers, James to pick up visitors, don’t was able to watch the plane and Central Europe. In 2009 they panic! Pop in their flight number takeoff on the tracker app on his decided to open up the network and you can get a visual on phone. Within an hour or so of for anyone with an ADS-B where they are and if you need to finishing her set, Halsey was well receiver to upload data. Many hotfoot it to the airport. ■ over Bass Strait and onto her next parts of the world were quickly show. James was able to see that covered, but we’re told they’re the plane had come most recently constantly expanding coverage. that evening from Geelong On the site you can click on any Did you know you can also (near Lorne where another Falls plane and get stats on take off track marine activity? Head Festival event was scheduled, time, how long until it lands, the to marinetraffic.com to check but cancelled) and was heading exact path it’s taken and even a out marine vessels around toward Byron. Privacy aside, pic of it, which is particularly the world. Love trains? it was a fascinating hour and interesting if it’s a vintage track-trace.live tracks trains an insight into how celebs get aeroplane or private jet! You can in many countries. transported around. also identify helicopters too. 20
SCIENCE
What is hydrogen Power? Words Qamar Schulyer
F
ires, climate change, water shortages, wildlife apocalypse…I don’t know about you, but from where I sit, things are feeling pretty bleak right now.
A little bit of this...
In light of this, I wanted to investigate alternatives that may make positive change in this world. I spoke to Krystina Lamb, postdoctoral fellow at Griffith University for the low-down on hydrogen energy. So what’s all the fuss? Well, put simply, you can make a “battery” (fuel cell) by putting hydrogen and oxygen on either side of a permeable membrane. The hydrogen proton slips through the membrane, in the process creating electricity, and the oh-soenvironmentally-friendly byproduct, water! Much nicer than a coal fired power plant, isn’t it? Yes, in principal, but unfortunately it’s not that simple. It turns out hydrogen isn’t that easy to obtain. For the most part, it’s so reactive that it doesn’t occur naturally on its own, and is usually bound to other elements. So to get pure hydrogen, you have to make it. Right now, most hydrogen is made from methane (CH4). Only problem with that is, making the hydrogen releases that pesky carbon molecule, and voila, greenhouse gas.
smallest element. So light that to turn it into a liquid you have to chill it to colder than liquid nitrogen! But even once you get it to a liquid state, the molecules are so small they leak out of any container. It’s a slow leak, not enough to be dangerous, but enough to be inefficient. That’s where Krystina’s research comes in. She studies alternative ways to store and transport hydrogen. “I hope hydrogen energy will help wean us off of our fossil fuel dependency, but it’s critical to ensure any solutions we implement aren’t worse than the ones they replace,” she said.
Pure hydrogen is flammable and safety concerns have been a perceptual barrier to increased uptake Fortunately, there’s a more climate-friendly solution of FCEVs, especially after a recent explosion at a out there. Hydrogen can also be made by electrolysis, hydrogen refuelling station in Norway. Krystina passing electricity acknowledges its through water. But “I hope hydrogen energy will help wean critical safety standards hang on, where is that rigorous and us off of our fossil fuel dependency” are electricity coming enforced, but hydrogen from? Krystina shared, “Because of the way our isn’t necessarily any more risky than other materials electricity grid is structured, when we have excess we handle every day. “You can go to Bunnings, buy renewable energy (like at noon when solar panels are an oxyacetylene kit, and chuck it in the back of your working hard), it’s easiest for the grid to dump it. But ute, and it’s FAR more explosive than hydrogen.” if that energy was used to make hydrogen instead, It’s perhaps because of this mix of investment from we’d have a means of storing it to create clean energy places like Japan and Norway, combined with public at a different time or place.” With our solar potential, perception of risk and infrastructure obstacles to places like the Pilbara could become mass hydrogen surmount, that the response from car manufacturers generators, creating hydrogen to fuel places like has been mixed. China, Japan, and South Korea Japan. As part of Japan’s pledge to become climate are heavily backing hydrogen, and Toyota, Honda, neutral by 2050, they’ve spearheaded a drive to and Hyundai have all developed passenger FCEVs. introduce 10 million hydrogen fuel cell electric Luxury car manufacturers Tesla and BMW have vehicles (FCEVs) in the next 10 years. focused more on conventional battery style electric vehicles, while other companies are waiting for the But getting hydrogen to Japan (or elsewhere) is infrastructure to catch up. All in all I’m left with a bit another challenge. Hydrogen is the lightest and of hope. We’re rooting for you, hydrogen! ■ 22
Nutrition
Does my Gut affect my Mood? Words By Benedict Freudenmann
A
s a nutritionist, gut issues are my bread and butter. However something most people wouldn’t associate with gut issues are mental health disorders. Yet I see it over and over again and research has proven that patients with persistent gut issues are much more likely to present with anxiety, depression and sleep disorders. So what’s the connection? Why does the gut seem to be linked to the brain? Our gut has three major functions - the breakdown and absorption of nutrients, the elimination of waste and housing of our microbiome. Although a core understanding of our body’s function has been established for decades, we are only now identifying and understanding the role of the microbiome.
all experienced butterflies in your gut, diarrhea or constipation during times of stress or even vomiting before a huge event. These are all examples of the gut and brain communicating. Our brain and nervous system relies on chemical messengers called neurotransmitters that pass information around the body. Some of the most common neurotransmitters are; Serotonin (feel good, happy), Dopamine (reward and cognition) and Melatonin (sleep).
So would it surprise you to hear that 95% of your serotonin is produced in your gut, there are 400x The microbiome is a collection of 100 trillion higher concentrations of melatonin in the gut than microscopic life forms living within our anywhere else in the body and several different gastrointestinal system. These microbes are so bacteria in the gut actually produce dopamine? numerous they make up about 1.5-2kg of our Therefore, an imbalance in our gut bacteria has body weight. With over the ability to directly a thousand different influence our brain “An unhappy gut results in an species of bacteria we’re biochemistry and unhappy brain, just like an unhappy still discovering new change our mood. brain can result in an unhappy gut.” strains. Just like any jungle, the bacteria in So what can we do? our gut create a unique ecosystem, which relies The food we eat directly feeds, and has the ability on our dietary habits to thrive. to change, our gut’s microbiome. Research has shown that the western diet and processed food If the thought of almost 2kg of bacteria living increase the risk of depression. By eating foods within your gut wasn’t crazy enough, these that our good bacteria love we can drastically bacteria have the ability to influence/control improve our gut and thereby our mood. The the way our body functions and our mind first step is eating real food. Make things from thinks. Leading scientists now identify that the scratch, no additives or flavors, avoid added microbiome is one of biggest modifiable factors sugar and consume plenty of vegetables with to our health. small amounts of meat. So how does the gut microbiome influence our mood and mental health? The gut has 100 million nerve cells, which communicate with the brain everything that’s going on within the gut. An unhappy gut results in an unhappy brain, just like an unhappy brain can result in an unhappy gut. I’m sure you’ve 24
Remember that seeking help from a health professional who is able to accurately assess your microbiome can provide you with support needed to be both healthier in body and mind. ■ Benedict is a clinical nutritionist who practices at www.learntonourish.com in Hobart.
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DINING OUT
Pumpkin cakes and tomato sauce.
Frank Restaurant Words and pictures: Stephanie Williams
Y
ears ago I travelled through Morocco and there’s one dish that still haunts my memory. It was a smoky evening in the Djemaa El Fna, Marrakech’s main square, and I found a very busy but non-descript stall serving fish with a seemingly simple fresh, cold tomato sauce. It was so good I went back the next night and practically drank the sauce. Ever since, when I see a Moroccan cookbook I scour the pages to find how I can recreate that sauce. And I can’t. I had written it off as a moment in time - perhaps being on the road made it taste better than it was. I certainly wasn't expecting to find it in Hobart. Frank is on the ground floor level of the Marine Board Building on the waterfront, and apart from a small sign and glimpses of light behind the reflective glass, you could miss it. The menu is modern Australian with South American influences - the tone is set as you walk in to scented wafts of char-grill in the air. The menu is for sharing, so we order a selection of starters and main sizes. I ordered the pumpkin cakes as a starter and I was so pleasantly surprised when it came with a side of fresh tomato sauce. Could it be 26
Steak and sides
my elusive Moroccan one? I was so impressed when it came pretty close, so I ordered a second serve just to be sure. Local natural oysters matched beautifully with a Tassie sparkling, a glass of Kreglinger. Next up was chargrilled broccolini, cavolo nero and stracciatella with a garlic and anchovy dressing, which we had alongside the hanger steak served with chimichurri and salsa picante and a serve of the beef and lamb molé with green rice. It was a great combination of flavours and the rice helped to fill up the hungrier of the two of us. The cocktail and wine list is interesting, with lots of local options and a few from the mainland and further afield. I can’t go past trying a glass of “tap wine” just to see what it’s like (spoiler alert, it’s the same as regular wine, delicious!) and there’s also a reasonable beer selection, local and afar. With no room for dessert, we call time but I’m already planning my return, if only for the condiments. ■ Dining Out meals are always self-funded. Frank Restaurant 1 Franklin Wharf, frankrestaurant.com.au
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Travel ON the island
Northern Exposure Words Stephanie Williams
A
s far as city weekenders go, Launceston ticks a lot of boxes. It’s only two hours away (including lots of great options for stops - usually a vanilla slice in Ross or park time in Campbell Town for us) and it’s a bit like a choose your own adventure depending on your interests. We recently went north for a mountain bike race and made a fun weekend of it.
If you time your visit with a Saturday morning, there’s no better place to find breakfast than at the Harvest Market. We made a beeline for egg and bacon rolls and coffee, and perfectly made croissants and bagels for the kids. There’s live music, lots of seating and so much fresh produce to enjoy. We also popped into Bread & Butter, right next door. It’s a cavernous space serving up coffee, pastries, bread and sandwiches heavily featuring their small batch cultured butter. The Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery (QVMAG) feels like it’s been around forever; it was a constant when I was growing up. But having not visited for many years, it was time for a fresh look. Short on time we chose the Museum at Inveresk (the gallery is at Royal Park). There’s dinosaurs, animals, trains, artefacts from shipwrecks and lots of interesting items from Tasmania’s long history. We spent a decent amount of time taking in (as well as riding in the glass lift, a highlight for kids) and the Phenomena Factory was also hit. It’s an interactive science centre for all ages, starting with a nauseainducing spinning tunnel. 28
Live market music
About ten minutes Rivers Rest out of the city toward the Tamar Valley Wine Region, Velo Wines and Timbre had our booking for lunch. To me, Timbre is up there as one of Launceston’s best, but it’s also a solid option to take kids. Pencils and paper came to the table as quick as the wine list and both little people and big were satisfied with the local produce seasoned by fire and the skill of chef and owner Matt Adams. The perfect place to burn off lunch was Tailrace Park on the road back into Launceston. The park is named after the tailrace of the nearby Trevallyn Power Station. It’s a big park with loads of swings and an epic climbing frame. If you wander down to the water there’s a boardwalk that hugs the shore and is great for spotting ducks and other birds. If you’re feeling a little fancy there’s a few places to tick off your dinner list - Stillwater, Grain of the Silos, Black Cow Bistro, or if you’re feeling a little casual try Buddha Thai, Pachinko or Geronimo. But after a big day out, and with fresh market produce in the fridge, the gourmet kitchen at Rivers Rest was where we ended up, on the balcony watching the colours of the mountain ranges change as the sun set. ■
Pictures: Chris Crerar, Stephanie Williams.
Rivers Rest was our haven for two nights. It’s a luxe townhouse in West Hobart with beautiful views down into the city and out to the mountain range. The property was created by Jo Youl, who also runs Flinders Wharf on Flinders Island. Jo engaged interior designer Emily Fitzgerald to craft the very comfortable shipyard-chic-meets-farmhouse space. For the design lovers, there are pieces by Jardan, Abode Living and MCM House with photographic prints by Kara Roselund. The location is spot on, being only a quick roll down the hill into town and the upstairs/downstairs living and fully kitted out chef’s kitchen worked well for our family.
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Travel Off the island
Thala Beach Reserve - Heaven For Nature Lovers Words and Pictures Bonita Grima
O
n a private headland between Cairns and Port Douglas, a small collection of deluxe stilted bungalows sit amongst the treetops, protected by native forest, as far as the eye can see. Stepping out onto the elevated timber decking of my ‘Coral Sea’ bungalow, the name does not disappoint, for spread out before me, the stunning coastline feels exclusive. Of course, there are other guests enjoying the very same view, but we are camouflaged well within our leafy hideaways.
For the discerning nature-lover, Thala Beach Nature Reserve is one of Australia’s leading eco resorts, achieving the highest level of accreditation from Ecotourism Australia. When owners, Rob and Oonagh Prettejohn, bought the ex-sugarcane property back in the seventies, just 45 of 145 acres remained as forest. But thanks to their rehabilitation efforts over the years, both land and wildlife numbers have returned to health. Around 200 bird species, 120 butterfly species, and various native animals inhabit Thala’s grounds. For Bonita drinking coconut water guests like me, wanting to immerse themselves further in nature, there’s a range of authentic and informative experiences to choose whether it’s wildlife spotting with local rangers, cultural talks and activities with Kuku Yalanji elders, stargazing at the onsite observatory or taking a tour through the reserve’s Lunch at Osprey own coconut plantation. 30
Balcony views
I join Thala’s Coconut Odyssey tour with guide, Naprari Tunsted, in the grove that’s been drawing a healthy Instagram crowd for its ‘cathedral’ of coconut trees. Demonstrating how to husk the fibrous fruit, Napari, who is of Torres Strait Islander descent, imparts the interesting health benefits of the ‘tree of life’ and shares fond childhood memories of his mother’s use of coconut during cooking. It gives me an appetite for more. Osprey is Thala’s open-air rainforest canopy restaurant and serves a menu focused on local and seasonal ingredients. I choose prawns with coconut from the plantation and black rice and avocado, served with taro chips, green onion and a lime and coconut dressing. It’s also a pretty special spot to enjoy a sundowner. With a bird’s eye view to mountains and the sparkling Coral Sea, I’m reminded of my position here, between two world heritage sites - Great Barrier Reef and Daintree rainforest.. After a swim in one of the freeform pools, I explore the many trails winding throughout the property and I’m delighted when I spot some of the little birds from the list displayed in the lobby - honeyeaters, metallic starlings and willy wagtails. Reaching a rest area named ‘Dugong Lookout’, I sit listening to waves rolling in amid all the birdsong. Eyes closed, I find a sense of peace, and realise it’s this feeling that draws people here, from all corners of the globe. From the owner’s own artwork inspired by nature, to the drinking fountains and brushes ‘for sandy toes’ that I discover on the path up from the private beach, it’s the little signs of care at Thala that make it deserving of its emblem, the White-bellied Sea-Eagle a symbol of fidelity in untamed coastlines. ■ Bonita Grima was a guest of Thala Beach Nature Reserve. Visit thalabeach.com.au
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Psychology
Lose control. It’s good for you. Words Annia Baron
T
here’s an outdated equation running through your head that’s stopping you from living your best life: The more in control I am = the happier I’ll be. Tick this, do that, text back. Buy this, get that, get it in time. Smash this goal, set the next, and then update your social media accounts to ensure everyone sees how much you’ve got your life ‘together’. My friends, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to feel on top of things; a sense of achievement is important, and we deserve to feel good doing that. But chasing control of things that are simply never ours to begin with is leaving us exhausted and unfulfilled. The weather, the bus running late, what mood your boss will be in – all not in your control. The things that go on inside your partner’s head, the choices your friends make, and what others think about you and how they’ll react – all not in your control. We create expectations of how these things should go, and when they don’t, we wonder why? We get upset. We stress and we do what we can to feel in control again. The chase starts all over. Our motivation for control can be extrinsically or intrinsically motivated. Extrinsic goals drive us to do things because we’ll get
32
No control here
something in return, whether it’s money, status, sex or admiration. Intrinsic goals, on the other hand, are those we pursue because the act of them, in and of themselves, is the reward e.g., playing piano purely for the sweetness it generates within you vs. playing for money. Scientific research from around the world tells us that the more focus we place on extrinsic or materialistic goals, the more depressed and anxious we’re likely to feel (e.g., The relationship between materialism and personal
conversations because you’re seeking admiration. Go nuts and get on the trampoline with the kids instead of just watching them play on it. Let loose and play too. Be silly. Be real. Be open to how things are unfolding. Dare to be out of control by turning off your phone as you explore a new hiking trail. Drive somewhere new. See something different. Give yourself permission to abandon the to-dolist for a moment and choose to reconnect with the experiences that make your heart light up. Lose yourself to dance, sing, write, create, dream, cook, paint, read,
“We create expectations of how these things should go, and when they don’t, we wonder why?” wellbeing: a meta-analysis by Dittmar and colleagues in the Journal of Personality & Social Psychology published in 2014). What we need is a new equation: Lose control (on purpose) + more focus on intrinsic goals = generate greater happiness. Lose control by walking up to someone random and wishing them a beautiful day, just because it feels good. Lose control by telling people what’s in your heart instead of planning out your
rest, share. Learn something new. Get to know your whole self and what matters most to you. That’s where true control is found. That’s where true joy is generated. So, let’s erase an outdated equation. Let’s lose control, on purpose, more often. ■
Annia Baron is a Clinical Psychologist and Mindset Coach at ReMind Yourself in Hobart. remindyourself.com @anniabaron
Feature
Why ‘plant-based meat’ is on the menu. Words Stephanie Williams
Y
ou might have noticed the term ‘plant-based meats’ more and more recently. It seems everywhere you turn, another business is creating a product that doesn’t contain any animal products and is made from plants. But why is there such an increase and is it any good for you? First to why we’re seeing it more. One big reason is the environment is struggling to sustain the amount of animals it takes to feed us all right now, and it will become even worse in the future as our global population pushes toward 8 billion. Resources are tight and animals contribute significantly to greenhouse gases. According to the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), cattle produce more greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than cars, and are responsible for 9% of all humaninduced GHG. Secondly with more and more bad press coming to light about the treatment of animals in slaughterhouses, some people are turning to vegetarianism and veganism to avoid harming animals. And finally, there’s an increase in research about the health benefits of a plant-based diet. People want to add more plant-based protein to their diet (hello meat-free Mondays!) and these ‘meats’ make it easy to do that.
the alternative meat market (which is made up of plant products like tofu, soy etc and cultured meat like the plantbased meat products you see in the supermarket), is worth $14bn globally today, but is expected to be worth $140bn globally by 2029. And the beef industry should be worried, with the likes of angel investors such as Mike Cannon-Brookes, Australia’s tech billionaire, buying into Australian plant-based meat producer Fable. Fable is made from shiitake mushrooms, coconut oil and sugar. In the US, Beyond Meat is the biggest player, and could potentially go stratospheric as McDonald’s is currently testing a ‘PLT’ (plant, lettuce, tomato) burger using their patties, followed by Impossible Foods which is backed by Bill Gates, from the small and emerging tech company of Microsoft. But is it healthy? According to the Barclays report, “consumers are increasingly scrutinising their meat consumption because of the
risks of high blood cholesterol and heart diseases associated with red meat in particular.” Alternative meat products tend to have higher salt levels than real meat. I’m no nutritionist but these products are generally made from quite processed plant based protein and you’d be hard pressed to find anything better than unprocessed vegetables and legumes. If you take a look at a label, they can contain either just a few natural ingredients or loads of additives, flavours and colours. Because the manufacturers aim to have a nutritional content similar to beef, plant-based meats are about equal in calories and saturated fat, but a bit higher in carbs and of course, sodium. I tried a few different products recently to get an idea of the taste and texture. They weren’t bad, but they weren’t amazing, yet. It will be interesting to watch the development of plant-based meats, particularly given the level of investment pouring in and the increased interest from food outlets and restaurants. ■
Hmmmm, tasty
Naturally there’s blow back from industries such as the beef industry. The UK bank Barclays stated in their I Can’t Believe It’s Not Meat report (2019) that 33
HOBART HISTORY Local rum 'uns, circa 1860
The bottom of Wapping, circa 1892
The WAPPING that was
E
Words Genevieve Morton Picture Tasmanian Archives
arly Hobart’s Wapping district was known for grisly murders, prostitution and poverty. It was also the economic centre of town in the first years of settlement and home to Australia’s oldest working theatre, the Theatre Royal.
The Wapping area was bordered by Liverpool, Campbell and Macquarie streets and to the east Park Street (now the Brooker Highway). Wapping took its name from Wapping in London, a suburb along the Thames with a similar social profile – that of poverty, drunken revelry and disease. Both sites were once places of executions. Wapping was a hub of economic activity with whaling, sealing and shipbuilding providing employment. With cheap rent and the proximity to work, Wapping became a popular housing area. The people of Wapping worked at nearby markets, tanneries, Peacock’s jam factory, the gasworks and a slaughter house. Among the many pubs and 34
worker’s cottages, the Theatre Royal opened in 1837. While Wapping had a closeknit community it also had a reputation for danger and drunkenness. There were 13 pubs counted in just a few blocks. There were reports of sailors drinking themselves to death, and grisly crimes.In the 1820s Wapping resident John Leach stabbed his wife to death with a stick for “unfeminine” behaviour. She cried out for help for 30 minutes but no one came to her aid. Amid what was described as a “slum” there was also a stench in Wapping.The area was prone to flooding and two streams emptied into the flat, muddy ground including the town’s water supply and the Hobart Town Rivulet which was polluted with human and industrial waste. The Depression in the 1840s and the development of the port at Sullivans Cove was a catalyst for economic and further social
decline. In 1875 public transport began with the construction of Hobart’s railway station and later a tram depot in Wapping. In the 1880s the population of Wapping peaked at 1200 people but as the Hobart City Council continued to redevelop the area, housing began to disappear. By the early 1960s remaining houses in Wapping were demolished and the area was zoned for transport purposes. Today the Wapping streetscape has all but gone, apart from the back alleys behind the Theatre Royal. There are also remnants of bricks walls and the gasworks chimney. The area is now home to inner-city apartments worth upwards of $500,000. A long way from the early Wapping days of cockfights, prostitutes plying their trade and drunk sailors at the Theatre Royal tavern. ■
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