Dr Sharon Campbell is one of the researchers of the ISLAND Project with an area of interest being the effect of smoke on the brain.

The recent appointment of Donna Adams as Tasmania’s first female police com­missioner is testimony to our progressive maturity towards gender equality in high levels of governance.

There’s a scene from a movie in which a woman is crying in the back of a taxi. The character has just realised that she means nothing to the man she thought she loved. The driver notices her tears and begins telling her about his life in India. He encourages her to try a helpful practice. Not in the mood to engage, she reluctantly asks what it is. He answers,

Hobart Happenings December 2022

On a recent trip to Sydney we decided to tack a few extra days on and explore the Blue Mountains. It had been a while between visits and we were surprised to find a whole host of new, creative busi­nesses and experiences to enjoy.

Fine dining is an experience, not just an outing. A dance between professionals to deliver a theatre show of food, wine and service.

One of my favorite walks is the Clarence Coastal Trail from Roches Beach to Seven Mile Beach. This gentle walk, just a little over three kilometres each way, follows the coastline at the base of undulating hills. The views of distant coastlines, sea and sky uplift the spirits. The sky seems bigger, the colours more intense as we walk by the sea.

For some people, the idea of a ‘do-over’ on January 1 is useful. But for the rest of us, New Year’s Resolutions are just another way to set ourselves up for disappointment.

In rain, hail and sunshine, for fifty years Salamanca Market has been an beacon for visitors and locals every Saturday.

After seven years in Melbourne, nurse Elysia has returned to open her own cosmetic and skin practice.

Young Hobart AFL defender Tom McCallum was recently drafted to play with Port Adelaide Football Club and is looking forward to new sights as he moves away from his beloved Tasmanian AFL team mates, friends and family.

Hobart Happenings January 2023

23-year-old Hobart musician Kat Edwards may have been born in the back of a car in Canberra, but she quickly came to know Hobart as home. Whilst her music career has taken her off the island to Melbourne for now, she’s stoked to be coming home this summer.

Clinical psychologist Dr David Bakker suggests how parents can support their kids through the challenging teenage years (and it’s not by fixing their problems).

Worker shortage is currently universal, there isn’t an industry that’s exempt. For Kelvin Smith, four years ago he decided there was a very obvious solution to the shortage facing the construction industry, and all that was needed was a little time, empathy and a helping hand. Integrate Workforce is a Hobart-based labour company with one requirement: a refugee/ migrant background. He’s also the outdoor piano man in his free time.

The feeling can be crushing. That sudden, stinging sadness that engulfs your heart and reverberates through your chest to the pit of your stomach.

Anchored in a stretch of no man’s land between us and Victoria, King Island is an uber relaxed, grassy island, equally hugged and battered by its surrounding oceans. More of a fishing-like village than a commercial tourist hotspot, a recent four day trip was spent a little slower than anticipated, but like its wallaby and crayfish population, widely welcomed by all.

Have you ever looked up toward the mountain and noticed big white writing on the hill at South Hobart? Dating back to 1905, the sign was a new, fandangle marketing tool for Keen’s Curry, the iconic flavouring that started right here in Hobart. We spoke with researcher Freida Moran to get the fully spicy story.

The Clarence Jazz Festival is back in February – a celebration of music, arts and food on the Eastern Shore. A jam-packed five day itinerary will move throughout different locations from Risdon Cove through to Kangaroo Bay, brimming with local food vendors and a collection of local and world class musi­cians. Festival Director, Stevie McEntree has been working on bringing a diverse (and mostly Tasmanian!) musical line-up to Clarence.

There’s a list running in our heads of the perfect venue to take visitors or for a fun lunch out with friends – it needs to be within a half hour or so drive of Hobart, boast a nice outdoor area where kids can get away from the table and entertain themselves, good food and great (Tassie-centric) drinks list, and a kids menu. Read on, we think we may have just found it.

A lot can happen in eighteen months. Josh Gourlay became one of 53 Australians diagnosed with blood cancer last year, but thankfully one who can say it’s been and gone, and the other side is looking far sunnier.

Since 1946, a secret society of Hobart film lovers meets to watch films and chat all things movies. From humble beginnings, the society grew to a huge supporter base of almost 2000 film buffs. For a few reasons – including Covid – numbers are a little less than that now, but they’re looking to build again.

Check out these awesome events going on around Hobart this month, or make a weekend of it and travel a little further afield.

Check out these awesome events going on around Hobart this month, or make a weekend of it and travel a little further afield.

The Pharmacy profession has been the frontline of the pandemic response and Bellerive Quay Pharmacy’s Claire Sutton has also Jaced some extra challenges in the past year.

Sam is one member of Hobart band, Verticoli, who launch a new album this month. He’ also a doctor and the self-proclaimed nagger of the band!

Hobart Happenings November 2022

David Boon is one of Tasmania’ best ever cricketers and was recently named the new chair of Cricket Tasmania, a role he is taking on with enthusiasm. A family man, he 8 reveling in being a grandparent and getting out in the garden and golf course.

Boundless Earth, the philanthropic venture backed by Mike and Annie Cannon-Brookes has invested $10 million in Tasmanian business, The Good Car Company, Australia’s largest importer of second-hand EVs

As a hairdresser for over 30 years and owner of her own salon, you can bet Ally Nischler has had many different conversations over the years with a broad range of clients. It wasn’t until this year that she recognised how feeling invisible, ignored and undervalued was so common in her mature clients. So she decided to do something about it.

Like most genius ideas, seaweed scientist Jock White and a builder/surfboard shaper Tom Gauden came up with their soon to be launched brand, Great Southern Designs over a beer.

It was a wet night as we rolled into Launceston for a weekend of family fun and a soccer tournament.

Whether you’ve conveniently forgotten to pack that soggy sandwich for lunch, or need a quick bite on the way to the next errand, there are endless options in Hobart for a substantial snack or light lunch in a hurry. This list is by no means comprehensive, so let us know where your favourite snacks are.

Wilderness guide Piotr Babis is about to embark on a week of running…if that doesn’t sound newsworthy, then read on. He completing one Tassie multi day walk each day, for seven days!

The gut microbiome is such a fascinating topic. So much has happened in this area in recent years: improved technology for testing the gut microbiome, an explosion of research, books written, and podcasts released.

As Remembrance Day approaches on 11 November a number of Tasmanians will be again reflecting on their unique service.

Recently lured to Hobart by the Tasmanian Tigers, Elyse Villani is a talented new cricket local, bringing strong hope for a win this upcoming WBBL season.

Mountain biker Tom Cheesman is set to compete in his first world championships this month in Les Gets, France, and gave us the lowdown on this awesome step in his career before he left.

With a job description of “getting paid to talk” you may have heard Jane Longhurst’s voice on the stage, the airways, the screen and even on hold.

Hobart Happenings August 2022

A passionate blacksmith, artist and sculptor by trade, Pete Mattila uses inno­vative methods to breathe new life into an age-old artform. His custom architectural and sculptural metal work is sought after for public and private commissions.

Every year in every country 13 August is dedicated to raising awareness about signing up as an organ donor. In 2021, 1,174 Aussie lives were saved through organ transplants from the generosity of 421 deceased organ donors and their families. We spoke to Medical Director for DonateLife Tasmania, Andrew Turner about the donation process locally for Tasmanians.

In our first ever interview with a dog we chatted/barked with Ambassadog from the Dogs Home of Tasmania, Sir Tater- Tot. He shares all the wonderful things that have happened to him since being adopted from the shelter. Tater’s interview was help along by mum Michelle Jones, Behaviour Trainer/Vet Nurse at Dogs’ Homes of Tasmania ahead of International Dog Day on 26 August.

Five years ago, I walked from Hobart to Launceston. I was aching. My mum had been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s and I felt compelled to do something to heal the years of witness­ing her decline. My friend Lee thought I was crazy but I knew she believed in me. No matter the weather (and it sure was cold as it was the middle of winter!), she checked in on me daily, sending me messages to see if I was okay. One evening, perhaps sensing my exhaustion, she made the drive from Hobart to Ross and back just to have dinner with me . . . and bring a pair of fresh, dry socks.

How many personal care products do you use? Do you know what’s in them? A long list of unpronounceable ingredients? What are they really doing to your skin, your health, and the environment?

Cultura is right near our office and conveniently close to pop in for their $10 lunchtime takeaway pasta special. The gorgonzola orecchiette is a team favourite! Chef’s kiss. But after saying many times, ‘let’s sit in here for lunch one day’, it was only recently that we finally did.

With a four-day gap in both mine and my good friend’s calendar, it seemed like a sign from above to shoot over to South Australia for a long weekend.

You may be well acquainted with stories of prisoners being shipped to Van Diemen’s Land to carry out their sentences as convicts. But what is perhaps often overlooked in our colonial history is the story of what became of the direct descendants of convicts.

Since its inception in 2018, Aaron Benham has been a co-convenor and general volunteer at the Repair Café in New Town. Visitors can bring broken items from their home and with the assis­tance of volunteers, learn how to repair items that would have otherwise been discarded.

Painting dramatic scenes of oceanic land­scapes and sky, Joshua Andree opens up his new exhibition titled Water in the Sky, showcasing the intense wildness of the South East in stunning oil paintings.

For 43 years Jen has taught children around Tasmania from kindergarten up to grade ten. In 2021 she published her picture book Listening to Tree, which aims to teach children about the many ecosystem processes trees perform, with the overarching message that humans and trees are co-dependent.

Hobart Happenings July 2022

Inflation is emerging as the buzz word of 2022. We spoke with Senior Lecturer at UTAS College of Business and Economics, Maria Yanotti about what inflation is, and how we got to $12 iceberg lettuces and expensive fuel. But it’s not all doom and gloom she insists.

For 43 years Jen has taught children around Tasmania from kindergarten up to grade ten. In 2021 she published her picture book Listening to Tree, which aims to teach children about the many ecosystem processes trees perform, with the overarching message that humans and trees are co-dependent.

Emily Meaney is a born and bred Hobartian who is on her way to the Commonwealth Games to represent Australia in Diving. We managed to grab some time with Emily, in between training sessions, to ask her all about her sport and her love for her hometown.

A long-held desire to taste muttonbird was finally realised last month at Dark Mofo’s fabulous Winter Feast.

Dr Karl, aka Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, is known as an answer looking for a question.

At a yoga teacher training course in India, we were presented with an image of three yoga practitioners, all sitting cross legged with their eyes closed and hands in prayer position. We were asked to identify the most obviously experienced yogi. The first was a stocky man in his 30s, wearing a designer business suit, looking self-righteous, with money hanging out of his pockets. The second was a fit looking woman in her 40s wearing colourful active wear, hair in a ponytail and a smile on her face. The third was a Hindu man in his late 60s. His body was lean, his head covered in thick, long white hair and there was cloth affixed to his waist with rope. He too was smiling and looked tranquil in the meditative posture. The most experienced yogi? “The Hindu man,” we answered in unison.

Sometimes an outing doesn’t have to be anything other than sat­isfying a craving: a beer, some fried chicken, and a game of pool with a mate. A recent visit to The Winston after an overwhelm­ing week of work during Dark Mofo was needed to fill that beer and chicken sized cup again.

Have you heard of the Danish concept of hygge? I came across it recently and it means a quality of comfort and coziness that gives you a feeling of contentment and well-being.

I’d seen the bright, canary yellow exterior of Hometown Secret enough times to be intrigued to head inside. But where is the hometown? And what is the secret?

Who designed Parliament House? The Theatre Royal? Richmond Bridge? Campbell Street Gaol? How about the Ordnance Stores in Salamanca? The answer all comes down to the same man: John Lee Archer. A colonial architect and civil engineer, Archer was responsible for countless Tasmanian government build­ings, penal buildings, military buildings, churches, bridges, and lighthouses.

Leanne McLean is the Commissioner for Children and Young People in Tasmania. She has recently launched a new book, alongside children and young people in care, about their experiences.

A young man with a solid throw on him, 18 year old Hobart discus athlete Jack Mellor has just been selected in the Australian Athletics team for the very first time.

A specialist at the Royal Hobart Hospital, a goat farmer and a Mum, Kate Field now adds skin care to her list!

Hobart Happenings June 2022

Wendy Kennedy is Executive Officer with the Tasmanian Men’s Shed Association and is a board member of Men’s Resources Tasmania. We checked in with Wendy ahead of Men’s Health Week from 13 – 19 June.

Katie Parrott is a Hobart-based plus size fashion influencer and model. She’s freshly back from her very first stint at Australian Fashion Week where she took part in the event’s first ever size-inclusive runway show. Katie spoke to The Hobart Magazine just after the trip, and told us that whilst the fashion world is waking up and noticing people outside of the standard sizing range, there are still many difficulties in being a size 24… and what she just adores about Hobart.

A newcomer to northern Tassie has brought with him a national men’s charity that gets men together to chat and make friend­ships. They’re now expanding to Hobart.

In Tasmania we’re fortunate to be home to people from all over the world. While many have purposefully chosen to move to Tasmania, there are people in our community who face no other choice than to flee to a safer place.

Cooking while hungry kids are breathing down your neck is harder, I imagine, than a Mystery Box Challenge on Masterchef. Critical judges, quick thinking, and a cold meal to eat once you finally reach the finish line (i.e. the kids are fed).

On that morning many years ago, I woke feeling particularly sorry for myself. With crutches under my arms for the third time and my throbbing, swollen ankle, I treated myself to breakfast at Straight Up.

Well, winter is upon us in Hobart. One of my friends calls it the season of hiber­nation, hot chocolate and hot chips. She asked me the other day whether it was normal to feel hungrier in the colder months than the warmer ones.

On frosty days my friends and I tend to search for places to eat that will warm us up with hot comfort food. Tucked away from Elizabeth Street Mall lies a cosy, yet vibrant hot pot restaurant with an array of delicious Chinese food.

It seems everywhere I turn someone is talking about or participating in cold water swimming right now.

The promise of a soldier to his dying mate in the trenches of WWI has made its way to the 21st century in the form of Legacy, an initiative that cares for the families of deceased veterans through practical, financial, and emotional support.

Raising little ones is one of the hardest, yet rewarding jobs in the world. Knowing first-hand the stigma that comes with being a young mum, alongside the need for more help and support that ever, Bernadette went on to found Brave Foundation, a not-for-profit charity.

Clinician Leader and Exercise Physiologist, Josh Miller has been in Hobart almost long enough to call himself a local.

Every year, from 27 May to 3 June, National Reconciliation Week celebrates, educates and pays respect to the world’s oldest surviving culture.

Growing up playing Australian Rules football in Tasmania held Ben Brown in good stead for when he hit his strides and joined the AFL competition. He now works hard to use his platform to advocate for a kinder and fairer world.

When local chef Luke Burgess was setting up his new restaurant, seven-anda- half floors, at The Pod, on a rooftop in central Hobart, he found himself with a rare snippet of spare time.

Autumn sweeps into Hobart, filling our streets with colour. This is a sign that our own deciduous beech, fagus (Nothofagus gunni) is soon to burst into gold, and later dark red, before dropping its leaves entirely. It is the only temperate deciduous native tree in Australia, a descendant of ancient Gondwanic plants.

Young, beautiful people are happier. They glisten in the sun and embody freedom and vitality. Want to be like them? You need thick, shiny hair, porcelain-white teeth an blemish-free, supple skin. Wrinkles and freckles are disgusting, and any age spots should be covered with make-up or lasered so as to not offend. Noticeably, breasts should always be perky. Nipples should remain small, pink and round, and as for vaginas, penises, and the shade of your perineum? Anything less than perfection is undesirable. As we know, ageing bodies are unattractive but thanks to ingenious anti-aging technological advancements, don’t fret. You too can achieve your desired look and start living a life of success.

My client sat in front of me teary and overwhelmed. “I’m exhausted. My days are so busy. At night I lie in bed and my mind races. When I finally get to sleep I wake around 3am and then can’t get back to sleep. Plus, my sugar cravings are out of control and I can’t stop eating chocolate. I need help.”

If you happened to have been walking along Murray Street in early 1817 you may have observed a rough sailor-looking fellow with a profusion of coarse hair sitting outside the gates of the old gaol, working with a pair of knitting needles to fashion wool into wearing apparel for sale.

Hobart Happenings May 2022

My mother could never quite understand the fascination behind going to a restaurant only to cook your own food. While I can understand how it contradicts the fun of going out, being tended to and not being lugged with the washing up, I hope she would have seen the light if she were my company at a recent visit to Korean charcoal BBQ, Mr Korea. This type of outing is the best of both worlds, the novelty of cooking (for those who enjoy it), being with company and eating yummy things, without being trapped in a kitchen away from the group for half the night, and dealing with a kitchen full of dishes in the morning.

As an architect, Tim Hurburgh has worked on some incredible projects around the world. Since relocating back to Tasmania, he has turned his creative attention to poetry, releasing his first book.

Hobart Happenings April 2022

Sally Kennedy’s passion for bagpipes has spanned nearly five decades. She is a life member of the Hobart Highland Pipe Band and has even played at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Scotland alongside her husband Paddy. Her generous spirit has led her to teach others how to play the bagpipes – at no cost.

Feeling stifled from long days of mask-wearing? Luckily, in Tasmania we are never far from somewhere beautiful to escape to on our days off – and breathe in lungfuls of restorative fresh air, mask-free.

As paramedics, Clare Brown and George Poulos knew firsthand how stressful and high-pressure the medical environment can get when administering life-saving medication.

Are you ready for a dose of truth?

“If I can do it darling, you can,” I said to my seven-year-old son, who was hesitat­ing at the start of a mountain bike track.

Shared plates, wine and good company in a relaxed atmosphere is music to my ears and an even better time for my belly. A visit to North Hobart’s Malik was a satisfying and effortless meal between five girlfriends and me.

Behind the gates of Hobart’s Anglesea Barracks, a World War II exhibition displays the stories of Tasmanians during the war years from 1939 to 1945. The display, hosted at the Army Museum on the barracks, includes images of Tasmania’s two main local infantry battal­ions and the myriad of defence industries, and is open to the public.

Intermittent fasting has been getting lots of attention in the me­dia and the wellness sphere, but what’s the big deal? Why would you choose to not eat and how could it be good for you?

Grayson White turned his passion for card collecting into one of Australia’s leading collectable businesses Cherry Collectables, with a store in Melbourne and here in Hobart.

Chef Lilly Trewartha has explored the world but loves nothing more than her home state’s produce.

Registered Wildlife Carer Amanda Sparkles, of Howrah, has been rescuing animals from storm water drains over summer, and is demanding councils cover the ends of the drains with grates to stop it happening.