THE HOBART MAGAZINE
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/ NOVEMBER 2019: ISSUE 10
I N D E P E N D E N T + LO C A L
M I TC H McPHERSON THE NEXT CHAPTER
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Can someone please explain what this is? An AirBNB for E.T. on the mountain?
W E LC O M E TO
Editorial Editor: Steph Williams Art Direction: Mark Cleary
THE HOBART MAGAZINE
Advertising advertise@thehobartmagazine.com.au Publisher Steph Williams Contributors Genevieve Morton, Qamar Schulyer, Megan Quill, Bonita Grima, Callam J. Jones, Sarah Ugazio, James Marten. Cover image: Andrew Wilson
It’s official. The weather is on the improve and the cold is behind us. Hurrah. Now it’s time to start soaking up sunny days and longer evenings and get the most out of the next few months.
Circulation 21,000 copies are distributed each issue, with 15,000 delivered to homes and 6,000 to cafes and public places. Our reach is from Bridgewater down to Huonville and out to Dodges Ferry, on both sides of the river.
November marks the start of our new monthly schedule. Being independent and local, we’re grateful that so many of you wanted to read the mag more often. So to kick it off, who better to be our cover star than Mitch McPherson, the founder of SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY! His ongoing work in the mental health space is making a real difference in our community.
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.
We also delve deep into what carbon offsets actually are with Dr Qamar Schulyer, check out some luxe houses for hire across the island and taste our way through delicious new dishes around town. We hope you enjoy our magazine as much as we enjoy putting it together for you. Cheers, Steph editor@thehobartmagazine.com.au
WHAT'S INSIDE...
Action at the Tas Enduro Series Round 1 in South Hobart. Photo: James Marten
L E T T E R S TO T H E E D I TO R Things that go bump in the night: The question posed by Genevieve Morton, "Does fear of flying stop you from venturing off the island?" I would say not as much as the cost of air travel, the limited amount of luggage one can carry, especially traveling Economy Class, internationally, aircraft departure delays, et al. To the serious side of the article that related 6.5% of the population has a fear of flying, it is largely because the average pedestrian has no understanding of how or why a large and heavy aircraft can get off the ground and remain in flight in the thin air of 41,000 feet. It is worse, when passengers experience turbulence. These fears tend to be reinforced by watching too many Hollywood movies about aviation disasters, or Air Crash Investigators. Though I am retired, I served as a Captain of three different models of jumbo jets. I have flown about 130 different aircraft, during my career spanning 36 years. For example, if there are strong winds, above 33 km/h blowing across the top of Mount Wellington and then across Mount Rumney, from the west, during
01 Welcome 02 Letters 04 Local Lad 06 Local Lady 08 Hobart Happenings 12 Cover Story - Mitch McPherson 16 Calendar 18 Science 20 Feature - Design Code 22 Chef 's Day Off 24 Dining Out 25 Feature - Rhianna Bryce 26 Travel Off The Island 27 Opinion - Youth Suicide Prevention 28 Madame Saisons 30 Travel On The Island 31 History 32 Photos
your departure, you could expect turbulence. Again, if you think of air flowing just like water in a stream that has boulder in it, then you can understand what causes this type of turbulence. Proximity to thunderstorms, which are similar to a kettle of boiling water, is a cause. Rapid changes in temperature the aircraft is flying in, is another. None of these will cause the aircraft to break apart in flight. Get that out of your mind. It was cited by a Hobart Psychologist, Kate Savage, fear they will have a panic attack and look foolish, mid-flight. Not one passenger, in the many thousands I have flown, have expressed that "anticipatory anxiety" to me. What I have found, though, is passengers who do not drink enough water, or drink too much alcohol before and during a flight or take some medications, such as antipsychotic, sedatives, stimulants, antidepressants, especially when mixed with alcohol will have strange side effects, such as abnormal anxiety, when flying, partly due to the thinner and drier atmosphere inside the cabin. Happy flying. - Robert Cassidy, Captain (ret.) Bothwell This is an abridged version of the Captain’s very interesting letter. See our Facebook page for the full story.
Gerry Jensen
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Where your dream of owning an original work of art becomes a reality
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ARTISTS Hannah Blackmore David Brayshaw Margaret Coombes Trevor Houston Rachel Howell Steve Howie Joan Humble
Gerry Jensen Nigel Lazenby Brian Looker Sylvie McClay Roger Murphy Gary Myers Michael Weitnauer
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LOCAL LAD for commercial release and so was only launched last year and is available in a 330ml glass bottle throughout cafes and supermarkets in Tasmania. Where’s your favourite eatery? Having owned and operated cafes for eighteen years I still twitch in cafes at the sound of a service bell so I rarely eat out. In saying that I recently took some overseas visitors to Tom McHugos, a great experience. Drink of choice and where do you head for it? MAK, naturally. If I’m in the country, Puddleduck Vineyard or Pooley Wines, in Hobart, Parklane Espresso or The Stagg. Wissful thinking
MICHAEL WISS FROM LINDISFARNE
Interview Stephanie Williams
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ichael Wiss is a man on a mission, to share his unique take on coffee with Hobart and beyond. What do you love about the suburb you live in? Lindisfarne has spectacular views straight onto the mountain and a feeling of living in the country ten minutes from the CBD. What’s the best thing about Hobart? Liveability. And the worst? Nature has provided us with incredible beauty but as a community we have one of the highest litter rates in Australia. On appearances there also seems to be administrative apathy for maintaining built and green infrastructure in the very places we work and play, particularly around Hobart. Tell us a little about your work? Over fifteen years ago while living in Western Australia and owning a cafe I was faced with a ‘serious’ problem, as were many other coffee drinkers. No chilled refreshing grown-up coffee drinks available. I decided to find a solution. After much experimentation, I created Australia’s first draught coffee on tap. MAK pours and looks like a dark ale, is lightly carbonated but has zero alcohol and zero dairy.MAK was too far ahead if it’s time
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Guilty pleasure? A fifteen-minute power nap in the middle of the day in the office, car or under a tree, or on the couch. What do you never leave home without? In my car, I carry a garbage bag and gloves to pick up litter whenever possible, it's a great way to offset a bit of travel. When there's nothing to do, I . . . That’s not an experience I can relate to! Favourite Hobart secret. Mortimer Bay Beach at the back of Sandford. Serenity. What do you love doing outside work? I’ve created OneCitizen Tasmania that initially has a vision of making Tasmania the cleanest state in Australia. OneCitizen encourages Tasmanians to take a picture – ID the problem – of rubbish and upload it to their socials and then take another picture showing what they have cleaned up. Or take images of poorly maintained infrastructure, such as median strips, verges, roads. In both instances tag in OneCitizen, local council and politician and the postcode. Currently, we seem blind to the litter situation. We hope OneCitizen empowers people through social media to start a conversation and take action in looking after our home. The long game is a recognisable brand throughout Tasmania that visitors will see is having a measurable impact on creating a better planet. Quote to live by? What you seek is seeking you. ■ Check out Michael’s work at MAKdraught.com or on FB and Instagram @Onecitizentasmania
LOCAL LADY I wanted it to be original, practical, fun and give parents peace of mind their child is protected from the sun’s damaging UV. I’ve been really humbled by the support of retailers who will be stocking the range this year. Where’s your favourite eatery? Eating out is one of my favourite things to do! I can’t go past Midori at Sandy Bay for a midweek easy and quick meal. For something a bit more special I really enjoyed my experience at the Black Footed Pig. Drink of choice and where do you head for it? I love Tasmanian Riesling. Living right next to Salamanca I might pop in to Grape Wine Bar. They also do the best chicken wings! Sunshine and swimwear
JUSTINE MILLS
FROM BATTERY POINT Interview Stephanie Williams
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What do you never leave home without? My phone. It’s my work life, my personal life, my lifeline!
ustine Mills embodies that familiar story of ‘I couldn’t find it so I created it’, launching a new line of kids swimmers ahead of summer.
When there's nothing to do I love… Going to the gym. It’s something I’ve been doing for over 20 years and finds it clears my head and gives me some time to mull over any business decisions I may have.
What do you love about the suburb you live in? I love being able to walk to shops, parks, gorgeous food choices and venues where I trade.
Favourite swimming spot? Definitely Long Beach. With a 7 year old son it’s perfect for us. I also have a stall at the Hobart Twilight Market there so I spend a lot of time enjoying this beautiful spot.
What’s the best thing about Hobart? After spending a lot of my adult life in Sydney, living in Hobart is really special and a hidden gem in Australia. I love the history, the friendliness of the people and how it offers something for everyone all close by. And the worst? I can’t think of anything bad about living in Hobart after experiencing the stress and business of a big city! I get to take a breath here. Tell us a little about your work? When I arrived here I didn’t see a lot of choice in kids swimwear outside of the mainstream brands and certainly not much for babies. It was also a surprise to learn that Tassie experiences ‘extreme’ UV ratings over the summer months. So I created a range for Tassie conditions that caters for babies and kids, TicTasTogs. 6
Guilty pleasure? My shoe collection! That’s what living in Europe for a few years made me do!
What do you love doing outside work? Spending time with my son, friends and cooking. I can spend hours in the kitchen trying new recipes - and hope that they turn out like in the photo - which they never do. Quote to live by? My life so far has been one full of adventure, change and challenge so I can’t choose one, but I do recall one after many years of living overseas and after travelling through India. It was Mahatma Ghandi who said you spend your life in search of what you’re looking for and you return to home to find it. Deep, perhaps but was true for me. ■ Check out Justine’s swimwear range at www.tictastogs.com.au
HOBART HAPPENINGS THUMBS UP Sparkle sustainably. Did you know regular glitter is plastic-based? Try Bioglitter this festive season, made from non-gmo Eucalyptus cellulose. More wine. There’s an increase in winemakers moving their operations south for the ideal growing conditions Tassie offers. Chin chin. The Fibre Collective. Small-scale wool makers have banded together to launch a new trademark recognising wool that’s 100% produced in Australia, from start to finish.
Underfunding of Risdon Prison. The system cracks are starting to show, just don’t leave the scaffolding out when doing repairs! Geoscience Australia. They’re phasing out map printing and replacing the service with interactive web maps. Not so handy in the Southwest Wilderness, we think.
SAFE NIGHT SPACE CROWDFUNDING It’s pleasing to see further momentum in the homelessness and crisis housing space. Hobart City Mission and The Salvation Army are currently developing Safe Night Space, a pilot program for men and women who are sleeping rough in the City of Hobart. Safe Night Space will run from 8pm to 7am, seven days a week as a secure place for people to find shelter from the elements, rest and links to support services such as Housing Connect, Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drug doctors. But it’s not cheap and to make the program happen they need to raise $450,000. That’s where we all come in. Lobby your boss to donate some cash on behalf of your organisation, organise a fundraiser or donate some cold hard yourself. To donate to the Safe Night Space pilot program, visit hobartcitymission.org.au/ safe-night-space or phone 03 6215 4200.
DITCH THE CAR Hobart is a leader in the uptake of e-bikes for commuting and mountain biking, it seems the rest of the mainland is yet to catch on like we have. These bikes are redefining what commuting can be and enhanced mountain biking for more people (let’s face it, the downhill is the best part!). If you’ve thought that it might be for you, then get along to the free Bicycle Network E-bike Expo at Regatta Grounds on Sunday 24 November. It’s on from 10am - 2pm and southern Tassie’s major e-bike sellers will be there. You’ll be able to test ride a wide range of e-bikes, from the toughest of mountain bikes to small folding e-bikes great for the back of the caravan. We're told there's no pressure to buy and you can chat with current riders who are bringing their e-bikes along. E-bikes are a great option for trips under 15 kilometres and once you’ve bought the bike they’re cheap to run, with most batteries lasting 50–80 km costing about 10–15c to charge.
Climate change. With word that a warming climate might wipe out Huon Pine in our kids’ lifetimes, it’s time to take action. Moving Feast. Talk of scrapping the Macquarie Point Plan for a football stadium.
THUMBS DOWN
Riding along on my e-bike honey Share your ups and downs at editor@thehobartmagzine.com.au 8
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HOBART HAPPENINGS
WHO’S A MOLE? Just when you thought it was safe to share your innermost thoughts on Facebook. Industry chatter is that it’s becoming increasingly common for journos to hang out in Facebook groups looking for story ideas, such as the Daily Mail journos who, on the daily (pun intended), are ‘inspired’ by posts they’ve seen in Facebook groups or others posing their own questions to get a response worth printing on their rags. So here’s a community service announcement for you, we’re now seeing some familiar names pop up in Facebook groups here in Hobart …just so you know.
OH SHEET According to the World Wildlife Fund, it takes 20,000 litres of water to produce one kilogram of cotton - that’s one t-shirt and a pair of jeans. Let that sink in for a sec. But in big cotton producing countries like India, water is a scarce resource. Cotton production provides income for more than 250 million people worldwide and employs almost 7% of all labor in developing countries. However, current production methods are unsustainable. So it’s good to see companies making efforts to close the loop. You can now take your used threads into the Sheridan store for them to be recycled and made into new products. Sheridan is the first Australian homewares brand to offer a solution to this issue. They’ve already saved over 3150kg of textiles nationwide and are currently selling ReThread tea towels made from recycled fibres, available in store.
GOT A CRACKING BUSINESS IDEA? If you’re over 45 and intending to start a business soon, then Business South might be a good one to add to the speed dial. They run a new free Australian Government funded Entrepreneurship Facilitator service, giving assistance to mature age Australians clients who are considering and intending to start a business. Their Entrepreneurship Facilitators will provide support, guidance and mentoring in all aspects of starting up a small business. The service also includes referring to other supportive programs when you need further help, complementary professional services, further training opportunities and workshops. You can get in touch at www.businesssouth.org.au
GO WILDE Did you know there’s a book club that combines reading, walking and the bush? The City of Hobart’s intriguing Bushcare Walking Book Club, meets once a month in one of Hobart's bushland reserves to talk about a book with an environmental bent.
The Neck, Bruny Island. Photo: Adam Gibson 10
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FEATURE
MITCH MCPHERSON Interview Stephanie Williams
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itch McPherson founded SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY amid tragic circumstances and has since worked tirelessly to create a foundation that’s sparked real change in how people, particularly our younger generation, view mental health. You advocate for suicide prevention and to remove the stigma around mental health. How did you get started? Six and a half years ago I founded SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY. I started it after I lost my little 18 year old brother Ty to suicide. I was working as a qualified glazier when it all happened, and our lives simply fell apart when he left this world. It brought a whole new meaning to grief that’s for sure. Growing up I was never educated on mental health. No one ever told me how prevalent mental health issues were, but yet how easy it was to have a conversation around it. It was about 3 months after Ty had passed and I was just filled with so much sadness and anger. I got home and just felt a real sense of needing to do something. For both our family to get through this dark time, but also for others so they hopefully didn’t ever have to experience what we were going through. I started with car bumper stickers to pay tribute to my little brother, but it was also to raise awareness around mental health and suicide. I got really active on Facebook, started doing some public speaking, and all of a sudden I found myself behind a real movement that people were wanting to support.
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Through a lot of hard work and advocating, Stay ChatTY now is a well known organisation across Tasmania. We’ve partnered with Relationships Australia Tasmania, have 11 staff, and programs in schools and sporting clubs across Tasmania. I travel across the country now as a public speaker, sharing my story in a bid to change the way people view mental health, and to break down the stigma. My life has changed so much, and I pinch myself sometimes, finding it hard to believe we have created what we have. I just hope that dedicating my life to this will save others, because being left behind by suicide truly is a traumatic experience that I hope less and less are affected by it in the future. Stay ChatTY has definitely shone a light on suicide prevention and mental health, now leading the way in Tassie. I’m proud we’re where we are today. I’m grateful that nurses, mental health researchers, exercise physiologists and lawyers have put their careers on hold to help spread our message. The support we get daily blows me away, and I definitely feel we have broken down some big barriers within our state. When I first started wanting to talk about suicide in schools and work places, no one wanted to know me and I didn’t get much engagement. But I believed in the message and worked hard to change people’s opinions on how to openly talk about the topic. Nowadays our team can do up to 15 presentations
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SALAMANCA | SOUTH HOBART
Do you have a business idea that you would like to explore? Are you considering setting up your own business?
The Entrepreneurship Facilitator Service is an Australian Government funded initiative, focussing on assisting mature age Australians (45 years +), by providing them with free assistance to consider, plan and start their own business. Here at Business South we cover Greater Hobart and South East Tasmania. We are here for you as a business partner, someone to bounce ideas off and someone to help you find the answers. We can advise you on all aspects of starting and running a small business as well as referring you to other enterprises that can help with further training, mentoring and possible funding.
Please refer to our website for further information, opportunities, to book an appointment or attend a workshop:
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FEATURE or program sessions a week – and the demand continues to grow which is fantastic. People swim the English Channel, or run 700km in a week to raise awareness and money for us – something that our team is just so grateful for. Is life pretty busy now? Life is really busy, and I do travel a lot, but I still have a real passion for it. The day I stop feeling a sense of passion and achievement, will be the day I stop sharing. I don’t always feel like standing up and sharing my story, but I feel I have to for those who are living like I was seven years ago, not thinking about mental health. I think of two things before I present - firstly the pain my Mum went through and continues to go through, and secondly how eight people on average take their life a day in our country. Annia at work
What’s one thing we all can do to help especially in the moment? Most of us by now have heard the stat that around 1 in 5 people will experience mental health issues across their lifetime. When you let that sink in, it becomes pretty evident that that’s a lot of people who might go through a difficult time. I always suggest people use that stat as a way to encourage people struggling to get some help and support. If someone opens up to you about their difficult time, encourage them to continue that conversation with professional support. But remind them straight away they’re not alone in feeling that way and congratulate them on having the courage to open up. Doing this will make that person realise they shouldn’t feel stigmatised, but also allow that person to one day help someone else with their troubles. What do you love doing outside work? I just love being around people. Friends, family, work mates, it doesn’t matter. Rarely do I like to sit on the couch and be by myself, I just enjoy being surrounded by people laughing, having a drink, or spending time together. What’s the best thing about being in Hobart? These days I’m really proud to say to those interstate that I live in Hobart. It really is a place that grows each day and people travel from afar to visit what we have to offer. For such a small state, we have such a huge range of things to do on weekends. Where’s your favourite place to eat? Definitely Frank Restaurant. My wife Sahar and I 14
head there as often as we can for a wonderful feed and a nice glass of red. Scotty who owns Frank is a wonderful man and always supports Stay ChatTY and the work we do. And your guilty pleasure? Pinot Noir, box of Favourites, and salt and vinegar (crinkle cut) chips. I would like to say not always at once but I can’t… Where’s your favourite Hobart spot to take a moment? I don’t do it enough these days, but it’s funny I always know when I am due to do it. I go sit with my brother and look out over the water towards Lindisfarne. I sometimes listen to music, sometimes might have a cry. It’s my way of letting out any sad feelings, or emotions. I always leave feeling better that’s for sure.
Mitch and Sahar
And how’s the future looking for you? We hear parenthood is on the horizon! Yes, Sahar and I are expecting our first child in April so when I think life is already busy, I’m told it’s going to seriously go up another ten levels. I’m so excited to become a Dad that’s for sure, albeit it hasn’t really sunk in yet that soon I will have my own child. For me, I aim to do more work interstate next year. Sharing and keynoting at conferences across the country is a real aim. I believe people will take a lot away from what I have to say and the work we do here in Tasmania. I’m starting up a podcast, I enjoy doing some local radio, MCing events, basically I’m doing and learning as much as I can so that down the track when my passion for being a speaker burns out, I have other options and things I can then put my passion into. ■ www.staychatty.com.au If this article raises any issues for you, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au
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NOVEMBER CALENDAR
WHAT'S ON IN HOBART 03
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Join the inspirational 2km Walk4BrainCancer walk and support people impacted by brain cancer, at Dru Point Bicentennial Park at 12pm.
6-12 year olds can learn about Stop-Go animation at 3:30pm at Kingston Library, the first session of this two week course. Book ahead.
The Reel Rock Film Tour, a film celebration of climbing, returns with a new collection of world premiere films to Village Cinema Hobart.
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Effervescence Tasmania comes to Hobart tonight with winemaker Ed Carr hosting an Arras Degustation Dinner at Old Wharf Restaurant. Tix essential.
Six-foot songstress Prada Clutch & her 'girls' take you on a journey through Les Girls, Priscilla, and today’s music icons at Theatre Royal.
The annual Myer 2019 Christmas Pageant is on today with a big street parade starting on the corner of Liverpool and Argyle Streets. The action kicks off at 10:30am.
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The Point to Pinnacle (and Point to Pub!) are on today, raising dollars through the Everyday Hero platform and for Movember.
Head along to Tasmania Golf Club today at 11am to try golf with Empower Golf. The ‘paragolfer’ will be available, all abilities are welcome.
Maydena hosts the 2019 Gravity Enduro National Championships, where mad Gravity riders from across the country race to the bottom.
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MTB Mowies is on today - a charity mountain bike ride to raise money and awareness for men’s health during Movember.
Get along to the final TSO Live Sessions for the year for an eclectic night of music at the Red Shed at the Hobart Brewing Company.
As you were boys. As the month for men’s health draws to a close, Hobart’s drains will be clogged with the hair of Movember-past.
NOVEMBER CALENDAR
WHAT'S ON UP NORTH 01
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Deloraine hosts talented artists and craftspeople this weekend for the Tasmanian Craft Fair, from today until the 4th.
Drysdale Launceston campus hosts chef Jowett Yu, of Ho Lee Fook for an 8-course feast as part of their Restaurant Tasmania series.
Legendary Irish comedian Dylan Moran hits Launnie tonight with his new show Dr Cosmos - his unique take on love, politics, misery and everyday absurdities.
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Artist and author, Graeme Base, of Animalia fame is at the Devonport Library tonight launching his new picture book, Moonfish.
The 6th annual Effervescence Tasmania is bubbling away this weekend, with the Grand Tasting, Long Lunch and Bubbles & Beats
Round three of the 2019 Shimano Enduro Tour starts today in Derby. Over 300 riders will compete in juniors, womens, mens and Masters.
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Woolmers Estate hosts the Festival of Roses, displaying thousands of blooms, alongside an antiques fair, food and wine.
Celebrate the launch of the festive season and witness the lighting up the Christmas tree in the Brisbane St Mall plus concert and activities, from 6pm.
Who said you can’t drink wine AND exercise? Join the Grapest 5km Run event being held at Pipers Brook Winery today.
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Catch the Farmgate Festival today. Meet local producers and Tassie chefs, tour behind the scenes at farm and food businesses in the Tamar Valley.
Get Christmas sorted at NICHE, a Tassie-made handmade market held annually at Launceston’s Albert Hall, 20% of proceeds go to StGiles.
Got an event coming up in Tassie? Email us at editor@the hobartmagazine.com.au
Picture: Flow Mountain Bike
SCIENCE
Did Harry offset or just upset?
LET’S UNPACK CARBON OFFSETS PART 1 Words Dr Qamar Schulyer
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f you were one of the estimated 22,000 Hobartians who participated in the recent climate strikes or Extinction Rebellion events, or even if you weren’t…there’s no denying that climate change is a pretty hot topic these days (pun intended). In July, Hobart became the first Australian capital city to declare a climate change emergency, followed by Kingborough Council and the City of Launceston. Over 330,000 Australians have signed a petition requesting that as a nation, we follow suit. As a scientist and as a citizen, I have questions. Not about the serious economic and environmental threats posed by climate change, those are a given, but about the mechanisms we have in place to combat those threats. What, exactly, is the federal government doing in response to the looming crisis? First, a recap of recent events. As signatory to the Kyoto protocol and the Paris agreement, Australia made a commitment to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 5% from its levels in 2000. The federal
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government responded in 2012 with the carbon pricing scheme, dubbed the “carbon tax” by the opposition. The idea was that certain companies with emissions over 25,000 tonnes of CO2 per year (transportation and agriculture sectors excluded) would be required to purchase credits to cover their excess emissions. Initially there would be no limit on permits, with a plan to gradually reduce the availability of permits in order to reduce total emissions. However, just two years later, with a change in government came a repeal of the carbon pricing scheme. In its place, the Abbott government initiated an Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF), now rebranded as the Climate Solutions Fund. It was hoped this programme would jumpstart the evolution of a carbon trading market: a market that supported the profitable trading of Australian Carbon Credit Units, or ACCUs. The ERF has three main pillars. First, it identified 38 different methods that could be used to generate
SCIENCE ACCUs across 7 sectors: agriculture; energy efficiency; facilities; mining, oil and gas; transport; vegetation management; and waste/wastewater. Some examples from the land sector include not clearing native vegetation, improving the efficiency of fertiliser use on farms, storing carbon in the soil, and implementing alternative waste treatment methods. The second pillar was that these ACCUs could be bought and sold. And finally, a “safeguard” mechanism was introduced, which required companies emitting over 100,000 tonnes of carbon per year to maintain their net emissions at or below their baseline levels. But…what exactly can a big business do? As an example, imagine you operate a coal-fired power plant. If you want to reduce your net emissions, either because the government has imposed a carbon cap, or you’re just acting as a responsible party, you have a few options. First is by directly reducing those emissions by burning less coal and switching to a renewable source of energy. If that’s not feasible in your business plan, another option is to offset emissions by carrying out an activity, such as tree planting, that removes carbon from the atmosphere (aka carbon sequestration or carbon storage). And finally, if you’re not in a position to sequester enough carbon yourself, you can purchase carbon credits from a third party that undertakes any one of those 38 approved methods of carbon sequestration. And voila, there is your carbon market; producers of carbon credits get paid to sequester carbon; consumers of carbon credits pay to offset their excessive carbon emissions. In theory, the combination of approved methodologies, the safeguard limit, and the auction process used by the ERF could help the nation reach its Paris target. By legislatively requiring large companies to maintain their emissions at baseline levels, any new growth requiring additional emissions would have to be coupled with offsets, or carbon credits, representing a corresponding decrease in emissions. I have some questions about the effectiveness of the ERF, though. Is it a better plan than its ‘carbon tax’ predecessor? With the higher threshold for carbon emissions set, are more businesses excluded from the responsibility to respond to the climate crisis? Are there adequate incentives to reduce further beyond baseline levels? Is good behaviour
being fairly rewarded? Is the ERF helping to reduce Australia’s overall carbon emissions? And at what price? And finally, I keep hearing this buzz about something called “Blue Carbon”. How does that work, exactly? To answer some of those questions, I got the lowdown from some of my CSIRO colleagues. Stay tuned next issue for part two to hear what I found out. ■
PAYING TO OFFSET The most common association people have with carbon credits is that little box that pops up when you buy an airline ticket asking whether you would like to offset your flights. Ticking “yes” funds projects that either reduce emissions (e.g. creating renewable energy options) or remove them from the environment (e.g. planting trees). But, be aware, not all offset projects are created equal. Many are un-regulated or non-accredited, so it’s worth doing your homework to check how your airline offsets its emissions. Otherwise, there are standalone companies where you can offset not only your airline emissions, but also the rest of your life choices. Try a carbon calculator to estimate your emissions, and then go to a company certified as “Gold Standard” (such as Greenfleet (https://www. greenfleet.com.au/) or Carbon Neutral (https://carbonneutral.com.au/) to fund projects to offset those emissions.
This article is part of a series featuring early career researchers; scientists in the beginning phase of their careers. Follow Qamar on Twitter @Qamarsky
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FEATURE
A boring 'thorn' between the heritage 'roses'
DOES HOBART NEED A DESIGN CODE? Words Stephanie Williams Picture James Marten
I
t’s by pure luck that many of the buildings that contribute to the character of Hobart are still standing. Well ‘lack’ is perhaps a better word. Lack of money in the 20th century to knock down buildings and invest in new ones. But now that Hobart is firmly in the bullseye of developers near and far, it’s time to make sure we’re creating a city we’re proud to look at as much as one that is economically viable, liveable and practical.
Like an architect or designer who creates a mood board for a project, we need to create one for our city. Resulting good design can be the difference between choosing one particular cladding over another, or selecting these kinds of windows or that amount of setback from the road. It could be working from a complementary colour palette that’s sympathetic to the Georgian architecture that Hobart boasts or considering the environment that the building is surrounded by.
Building heights have been debated for some time now, but what about how they actually look - the materiality, the visual impact of the building - how can developers and architects be guided into creating designs that will stand the test of time.
And before the Fragrance Groups of the world get their tool belts in a knot, we acknowledge that some of the best architecture in the world has been borne from being limitless. But some amazing architecture is also created when there are guidelines and constraints in place - architects like a challenge! On our own doorstep, MONA continues to serve up interesting architecture. Yes, there’s a fine balance in creating rules that will scare away good development or stifle creativity or livability, but having a baseline set of standards could make it easier to weed out the crap we shouldn’t have to put up with.
Who decides what constitutes beautiful modern architecture in our city? From 2009-2012, Peter Poulet was our State Architect but left to fill the same role New South Wales. He was not replaced because of government budget constraints at the time. And now? At very least, the Hobart City Council, and other municipal counterparts should consider putting together a “more of this, less of this” set of guidelines. We all know the amount of red tape that will need to be cut and hoops to be jumped through, but a simple set of suggestions, as guidance and inspiration could be the place to start. 20
We want Hobart to still feel like beautiful Hobart, but we can take some important steps to make sure we live in the best version of it that honours our heritage and embraces our future. ■
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CHEF'S DAY OFF
GREEN ADJIKA (adapted from a recipe by Olia Hercules from her awesome book, Kaukasis) Ingredients: 400g celery, chopped roughly 1 bunch coriander, stems and all 1 bunch parsley, stems and all Half bunch mint/dill/ both (optional) Stalks from a bunch of basil (optional) 5 garlic cloves, green germ removed, or one bulb of spring garlic
Green goodness
MEGAN QUILL
FOOD DIRECTOR, TASTE OF TASMANIA AND MIGRANT RESOURCE CENTRE Words and Picture Megan Quill
I love to use lots of fresh herbs when cooking, and it’s one of the ingredients I always purchase way too much of at the farmers market, even though I grow some varieties in my garden. When it’s time to empty the fridge of last week’s herbs, or deal with a sudden spring garden glut, this is the recipe I turn to. We sometimes make this in the kitchen at Migrant Resource Centre to spice up a chicken fatteh or Arabic bread toastie, and to put in our deli cabinet to take away. Adjika is a condiment I discovered on holiday in Georgia, where they use a large variety of herbs in their delicious cuisine. Like a punchy pesto, it’s spicy, aromatic, slightly salty and extremely addictive. I love that the recipe uses up all the stems and leaves from the herbs too.It’s super easy to prepare (it helps you have a decent food processor!), and it keeps very well. ■ The Taste of Tasmania www.thetasteoftasmania.com.au Instagram: @thetasteoftasmania
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Migrant Resourse Centre www.mrctas.org.au Friday Deli days, 11am-3pm, 1a Anfield St, Glenorchy
6 green chillies (half de-seeded, leave in all seeds for a spicier result) 20g sea salt
Method: Whizz all the ingredients together in a food processor, until you have a smooth paste. Depending on what’s in the garden or vegetable crisper, you can substitute more or less of the herbs, keeping the celery, garlic, chilli and salt quantities the same. If you use basil leaves, the paste will discolour. I like to keep basil stems in the freezer for Ajika when I have them leftover from making another recipe. Serve with slices of salty white cheese as part of a mezze selection, folded through scrambled eggs, on a sandwich or as a side to barbecued meats. Keeps up to 1 month. Bake at 180c for around 15 mins. ■
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DINING OUT
LAZY LONGLEY LUNCH Words and Picture: Steph Williamns
W
ho doesn’t love a ‘destination’ pub? Somewhere you jump in the car or on the bike and travel to for a good feed, a bit of music and a few hours of relaxation. The Longley International Hotel sits over the back of the mountain, about 20 minutes from the city and 10 minutes from Kingston - just far enough to feel like you’ve branched out, especially if you take the pretty and winding Huon Road through the foothills. Music is at the heart of the pub, with a strong music program featuring names you know and names you should. Time your visit with a Friday night or Sunday afternoon and you’ll be rewarded with music, but check ahead as sometimes the gigs are ticketed. Meals are hearty - think parmis (they have a ‘parmi menu’ of seven options at $25 each), steaks, a burger of the day and their Tassie Pickers Platter
Seven Parmis on the menu
for two ($45). Kids meals are all $12 and there’s even a Chocolate and Guinness pudding for dessert. This is classic pub fare. And if you’re left with a familiar feeling while you’re there, the indoor pub scenes in Tassie’s own, Rosehaven (ABC) are filmed here. In summer, take your swimmers and cool off in the nearby waterhole, down a road, 100 metres past the pub. ■ Longley International Hotel Huon Road, Longley
HOT PLATES
Little Lotus Cafe 45-47 Victoria St, Hobart Breakfast bagel with avocado and egg ($12) from this creative plant-based cafe.
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FEATURE
XXXX XXXXXX
ON THE WALL Words Genevieve Morton
R
hianna Bryce is one of Hobart’s most popular commercial artists. You’ll find her murals across public spaces in the CBD, along walls inside Eastlands Shopping Centre and popping up in cafes and restaurants all over the place. The 23 year-old took time out to chat about her work - and occasionally messing up. How did you start out creating murals in Hobart? What's your medium? I was given the opportunity to create my first interior mural at Veg Bar in North Hobart. Ever since then I’ve been lucky enough to have consistent muralling opportunities. I create murals with acrylic in both pen and paint form. Sometimes I use watercolour, graphite, ink liners, copic markers and collaged elements for illustration and design work. How did your distinctive style come about? I think my style is forever evolving and improving. However, I've always loved using illustrative techniques featuring elements from the natural world, predominantly in black and white with minimal pops of colour. Your murals work in so many different settings. I honestly never predicted I would be this lucky. I think one of the beautiful aspects of living in Hobart is its friendly, intimate community, as a lot of my work eventuates by word of mouth. With new cafes, bars, festivals, markets and events popping up
Rhi at work
everywhere, Hobart is becoming a mini Melbourne and it’s such an exciting time to be a part of the commercial art scene. What's been your favourite project? Helping transform Bidencopes Lane for Hobart’s famous Vibrance Festival in 2018 was a huge highlight for me. I created a fun, playful and interactive mural “Be Cool Honey Bunny” alongside some of the best local and interstate talent. How do you come up with your design for a certain space? I’ve always had a passion and fascination for drawing botanicals, so I always manage to find a way to weave flowers into every mural. The design process is often a collaboration between myself and the client. Art is my absolute obsession and I’m so lucky to have a job doing what I love. Do you ever mess up? Yes all the time! But I just turn the mistakes into something else. I guess that’s one of the beauties of flowers, each one is unique, their colour and shape is imperfect, as are my murals. What are you working on now? I’m currently designing a mural for the lovely ladies at Mazi Hair and finishing off the last projects of my Fine Arts degree. What’s the biggest on-the-job challenge? I am currently pregnant, so muralling is starting to become a bit of a physical challenge. I’m having a little bub this month, but I will definitely be making a return to murals! ■ 25
TRAVEL OFF THE ISLAND
48 HOURS IN PERTH
WEST SIDE STORY Words and Pictures Bonita Grima
L
ast year Virgin introduced direct flights between Hobart and Perth, making the unimaginable possible – a weekend escape to Perth. If you’ve not experienced a getaway to WA’s capital, here’s how to make the most of a weekend West.
Perth from Kings Park
FRIDAY Arriving late afternoon, check in to elegant, award-winning COMO The Treasury. This contemporary hotel in Perth’s CBD is housed within the beautifully restored historic State Buildings; a destination in themselves, as a retail, relaxation and fine dining hub. Settle in with a pre-dinner drink at 1950’s inspired Halford Bar or the courtyard of David Thompson’s Thai restaurant, Long Chim. In the evening, head to Northbridge – Perth’s pulsing cultural heart, to stroll the streets and mingle with after-work locals, filling multicultural restaurants and bars. With Chinatown based here, you’ll be spoilt for choice for authentic Asian eateries. For shared style choose Italian wine bar, No Mafia, La Cholita for Mexican street food, or The Hummus Club for Middle Eastern bites. End the night exploring hidden laneway bars, such as Joe’s Juice Joint or prohibition style, Alabama Song. SATURDAY Breakfast at Odyssea, overlooking the sparking Indian Ocean, followed by a swim at City Beach. Head south to historic port city, Fremantle to explore WA’s most loved markets, Fremantle Markets, established in 1897, before brushing up on maritime history at the WA Maritime Museum (home to America’s Cup winning yacht, Australia II). Wander along the Esplanade, stopping for a seafood lunch at Cicerello’s or beloved craft brewery, Little Creatures. If café culture is more your thing, venture down South Terrace to hipster suburb, South Fremantle, for local brew from Port City Roasters, vintage boutiques and vegan ice-cream from Roho Bure. Book well in advance to experience what’s considered Perth’s best restaurant, Wildflower. With a focus on local, native ingredients, the menu celebrates the indigenous six-season calendar. SUNDAY If you’re up for a challenge, get up early to join locals racing up Jacob’s Ladder - a 242-step staircase in Kings Park. You’ll be rewarded with panoramic views over the city.
Madre Perla at Uma
Virgin Airlines operates direct flights between Hobart and Perth three times a week. Flights arrive in Perth at 4:40pm Fridays and depart from Perth at 11:30am Mondays. Visit virginaustralia.com for details 26
Alternatively, visit Perth’s latest suburb of inner-city cool, Maylands, to brunch at Steam Haus, newly opened Seasonal Brewing Company or Lyric Lane (due to open its live music venue in November). Check out mural art and shop at boutiques such as Lulu and Sasha or Daisy and Rowe. Spend an afternoon of culture at the Art Gallery of WA. Tonight, visit Uma, the country’s latest restaurant by Executive chef, Alejandro Saravia. Known for bringing Peruvian cuisine to Australia, Saravia’s passion for sustainability and bold but authentic combinations, are reflected in delicate dishes, such as Madre Perla, made with pearl meat from luxury Kimberley pearl supplier, Paspaley. End your weekend with jazz at one of Perth’s best late-night establishments, The Ellington Jazz Club on Beaufort Street. ■
OPINION
DOES SOCIAL MEDIA HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY IN PREVENTING SUICIDE AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE? Words Callum J. Jones
W
hen the National Suicide Prevention Conference was held in Hobart in 2014, the attendees discussed the role social media can play in preventing suicides among teenagers. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) states that 78 Tasmanians (62 male, 16 female) took their own lives in 2018. This is a slight decrease from the 80 that were recorded in 2017. While the ABS doesn’t state how many of those 78 Tasmanians were young people, it’s likely that some of them were. So does social media have a role to play in preventing suicides among young people? Jane Shearing, a youth worker at Elizabeth College, believes that it does. “If social media can allow people to be connected, that’s good,” she says. “If somebody is talking and feeling connected, then there’s less likelihood of them taking their own life.” But Ms. Shearing adds, “Sometimes social media goes too far and doesn’t allow some individuals to build up resilience.” Bianca (not her real name), a young adult who suffers from depression, believes there needs to be increased safety measures on social media for it to play a part in preventing young people from taking their own life. “With cyberbullying, a lot of it is dismissed on
Facebook, even if it is reported,” she says. Indeed, there have been numerous calls for increased safety measures around the use of social media by young people who are vulnerable and at risk. For example, plans have been put forward in Australia to introduce real-time monitoring of the social media use of atrisk youth on a voluntary basis. This would enable family and friends to help prevent harmful behaviour and provide early suicide intervention and support to loved ones. But the effectiveness of these plans is a source of contention because it would be difficult to strike a balance between ensuring the safety of users and maintaining their privacy. It’s impossible to immediately solve the problems social media has. Having said this, social media can be used to bring people together and get them talking straight away, and this needs to be spread and promoted. That way, the number of young people who take their own lives will hopefully decrease. ■ If this article raises any issues for you, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, or visit lifeline.org.au for crisis support. For immediate assistance, call 000. Callum J. Jones is a journalism graduate and writes fiction and non-fiction. You can find him on Twitter (@CallumJones_10).
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MADAME SAISONS CHRISTMAS PUDDING Ingredients:
Hey Pudding
STIR-UP SUNDAY Words Sarah Ugazio
P
eople have mixed feelings towards the festive season, generally falling into two camps: the Santa-hat-wearing/ carol-singing variety; or those feeling the anxious race-tothe-end-of-the-year, generally taking the Christmas spirit in liquid form to survive. It may not yet be December, but retailers have well and truly got the Christmas baubles in full swing. A friendly reminder that no matter which camp you fall in, the festive season is looming and we best get spending organised. One British time-honoured tradition is Stir-Up Sunday, the last Sunday before Advent on the Christian calendar, marking the day to make Christmas Pudding. Christmas pudding is a brown sugar or treacle based heavy cake batter, with spices and marinated dried fruits stirred through, which is steamed then left for several weeks for flavour development. The fading tradition of Stir-Up Sunday is for each family member to stir the bowl and make a wish. These days it’s more likely a pudding will be bought, with wishes for shorter supermarket queues. Another age-old tradition associated with Christmas pudding is to place a silver coin in the cake, with luck (or cracked tooth) bestowed on whoever finds it. A benefit of making your own pud is you can develop your own traditional recipe customising which dried fruits (eg. currants, raisins, dates, figs, glacé fruits, citrus peel) and spice selection you use. The alcohol marinade can also be customised. Brandy or rum is traditionally used, but other liqueurs such as amaretto or crème de cacao can be added. The length of marination time depends on how boozy you like your fruit. Whether made or bought, the perfect accompaniments for Christmas pudding include crème anglaise, brandy butter or good old fashioned vanilla ice cream. Prior to serving, insert sterilised coins for novelty and top the pudding off with holly for visual appeal. If guests aren’t impressed enough by your baking skills, douse the pudding in slightly warmed brandy prior to serving and set alight at the table (mind your eyebrows). ■
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1.2 kg Marinated fruit mince (1kg dried fruit + 250ml brandy) 250g Butter softened 250g Brown sugar 1 Lemon - grated rind only 1 Orange – grated rind only 4 Eggs, beaten 130g Plain Flour ½ Tsp Salt ½ Tsp Bi-carb of Soda ½ Tsp each Mixed spice, nutmeg, ground ginger, cinnamon 125g Soft breadcrumbs (approx 5 slices with crusts removed) 75g Slivered Almonds, chopped (omit if allergies) Method: Set a trivet (a heat-safe object that will keep the pudding bowl off the bottom) in a large stockpot. Grease a 2.5L pudding basin with butter, line with baking paper. Sift all dry ingredients together twice (Flour, spices, salt, bi-carb). Cream butter and sugar. Add beaten eggs gradually to butter mix until well combined. Stir through grated citrus rinds, marinated dried fruits and almonds in several batches, alternating with the sifted dry ingredients and breadcrumbs. Pour mix into pudding basin and cover with baking paper fixed with string (search online videos for tying off techniques). Set sealed pudding basin in large stockpot and fill with boiling water half way up the sides of the pudding basin. Steam covered for 6 hours, ensuring water is regularly topped up. Remove from steam and bring pudding to room temperature, then cover with fresh paper and string. Store in the fridge or a cool cupboard until Christmas Day. To reheat, bring to room temperature, repeat steaming process as above for 2 hours then let pudding cool for half an hour before serving.
Follow Sarah at @madamesaisons
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TRAVEL ON THE ISLAND Adventure Bay Retreat – Bruny Island ‘The Lair’ house at Adventure Bay Retreat gives you the rugged natural beauty of Bruny Island from the comfort of a private balcony, complete with a roomy hot tub. The property sleeps six, which works well for three couples or an adult family group. The Lair is spacious, contemporary and with forest views and wildlife on tap. There’s also The Lodge, The Studio and The Cottage, which are equally as luxe. adventurebayretreat.com.au
Adventure Bay Retreat
LUXURIOUSLY WILD AT HEART Words Genevieve Morton Pictures Supplied
I
magine a hot tub under the stars. Then add a water view. And a glass of sparkling wine. And no-one for miles. Tasmania does ‘remote luxe’ like no other place in the world. Here are our top five picks for your next decadent and woodsy weekend away, each with their own take on a hot tub. Freycinet Pavilions
Cape House – Dover Arriving by helicopter is an option (doesn’t that say it all?). Cape House, which sleeps six, is nestled into 250 acres of rolling hills and forest at Dover. The turn of the century luxury farmhouse offers 360 degree views across the D'Entrecasteaux Channel from Bruny Island to Adamson’s Peak. A lazy stroll along the deck will take you to the large, 8-person hot tub - perfect for stargazing. They’ve also developed ARC, an animal rehabilitation sanctuary for sick or injured animals. The Boat House, on the water, is just as luxe and sleeps two. peninsulatas.com Hundred Acre Hideaway – Bruny Island Imagine a romantic hideaway completely surrounded by rainforest and meadow. Powered by solar, wind and gas, the ‘Barrel’ and ‘Bath’ cabins at Hundred Acre Hideaway offer stunning views of Cloudy Bay. Days can be spent bushwalking, fishing, surfing, wine tasting and bike riding. Sunsets are best spent on the private hideaway balcony, immersed in the sunken western red cedar wood fired hot tub. Filled with fresh mountain water, hot tubs are lit before your arrival - and just the right temperature for therapeutic soaking. hundredacrehideaway.com.au The Coastal Pavillion – Freycinet Stay at Freycinet Lodge in your own private coastal cubby complete with outdoor bathtub. Enveloped by the bush, the Coastal Pavillion pods are an immersive experience. Environmentally sensitive and architecturally innovative, the pods have been designed to not only take in the view but also ground you in the environment and inspire an absolute switch off from your busy life. freycinetlodge.com.au Porky Beach Retreat – King Island Porky Beach Retreat offers beachfront luxury with a purpose-built sauna and sunken timber hot tub. The sauna is the only one of its kind in a holiday rental in Australia, with a full wall of double glazed glass overlooking the beach. Your private beach. With floor-to-ceiling windows, the retreat also has incredible views of the Great Southern Ocean. Indoor highlights include a rotating fireplace and a Tasmanian white oak dining table large enough to accommodate 10 foodies keen to settle in with the finest produce King Island has to offer. kingislandescapes.com.au ■
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HOBART HISTORY
Digital Reconstruction of the Point Puer Boys’ Prison c1843
ARTFUL DODGERS TO CHILD KILLERS Words Steve Harris Picture John Stephenson, Digital Heritage Studio
I
n the early days of Hobart any material penned by Charles Dickens was eagerly absorbed. His depictions of British life, and some of its truths, especially resonated with those now on the other side of the world. Dickens knew and reflected the world of the ‘artful dodgers’ like his character Oliver Twist, and those who were convicted and transported to the far side of the world. And that too often the law, and British society, was not a true friend of impoverished or abandoned children forced into street crime to survive, and then be punished by being sent into exile for seven or 14 years. Some 3000 real life ‘artful dodgers’, some as young as nine, were so punished—unwanted in their Mother Country and in the faraway colony of Van Diemen’s Land. Henry Sparkes and Charles Campbell, were two such boys, stolen away from their homeland and shipped to an exile-in-exile, Point Puer. This juvenile version of Port Arthur was perhaps the British Empire’s boldest social experiment, purportedly to ‘save’ children from a lifetime of criminality by exiling them out of sight and out of mind to the world’s first state-run prison built exclusively for boys.
Here they would receive severe and constant discipline and punishment, moral instruction and some trade training. But insufficient resources meant constant imposition of thrashings, bread and water diets, stone-breaking work in chains and solitary confinement, and many boys became more hardened, imposing their own code of resistance. The weak links in the chain of Point Puer became evident in the winter of 1843 when a convict from Port Arthur, assigned as an overseer, was fatally clubbed in broad daylight. Sparkes and Campbell were fingered as the most likely culprits, then faced a murder trial in the nation’s first Supreme Court in Hobart, and perhaps a walk on the scaffold. It seems extraordinary that the British, cradler of a mighty empire, could resolve that the best it could do for such boys was to despatch them across the seas to Point Puer, described initially as ‘an oasis in the desert’ of convictism, but later by the first Premier of Tasmania as ‘a bleak cancer’. If sending convicts into exile as slave labour is seen as the biggest stain on the British Empire, then sending its own children into exile must be the ugliest and saddest stain. The story of the lost boys is less well known, but if history is the story of how we got to where we are today, then boy convicts are an integral part of our story. And what also seems extraordinary is that just as Britain’s moral panic saw it demonise and despatch those seen to threaten the lives of the comfortable, so today media, governments and communities often quickly slip into the same ‘do something’ mode to punish or despatch ‘threats’ out of sight, out of mind. Perhaps given that Tasmania, like every state in Australia, still retain one of the world’s youngest ages of criminal responsibility (10), and the country has up to 1000 juveniles incarcerated often still held in solitary confinement, the days of Dickens don’t seem so distant. ■ The Lost Boys of Mr Dickens, How the British Empire turned artful dodgers into child killers, by Steve Harris, Melbourne Books, $34.99 RRP
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