Bridget, Lilly and Florence Cousens

by Stephanie Williams

This mother and daughter singing trio are set to appear in the upcoming production, Women of Troy.

Where did you grow up and where do you live now? We all grew up in Hobart and we still live in Hobart!

Tell us a little about your work? Lilly (grade 9) and Florence (grade 6) are both students and I am a singing teacher.

Have you always sung? How did you get into it and how does it hold your attention? I have always loved to sing. My parents are musical and that followed through to the rest of the family – we are all musical whether it’s instruments and/or singing. My main love is musical theatre and folk, but I will give anything a go! I have performed in many theatre productions over the years. Some of these include Invidu with The Old Nick Theatre Company, My Fair Lady with the Gilbert and Sullivan Society, The Remedy with the Tasmanian Conservatorium of Music, South Pacific with Gilbert and Sullivan Society. I am a singing teacher and I have owned my own singing school, Island Song Singing School, for 25 years now. I really love what I do. I teach singing from our family home because it allows me to be “Mum” and support people in their singing, song writing and performance.

You’re about to appear with your daughters in Women of Troy this month. Tell me a little about what it means to sing with them. It’s wonderful having the opportunity to perform in a show with them – it is a really empowering experience. Performing with our daughters always keeps me real, true to myself and relaxed. You always know that someone has your back, and we cover each other well if needed (especially if I forget the words, they step in). In Women of Troy, we are encouraged to act our real-life relationships, so we will be acting as mother and daughters. We are absolutely honoured to be a part of Archipelago’s Women of Troy. Directed by Ben Winspear, musical direction by Amanda Hodder and an incredible cast that includes Marta Dusseldorp, Sarah Peirse, Jane Johnson, Angela Mahlatjie and Guy Hooper.

What is the show about? Women of Troy compares old with new. The old script by Euripides’ adapted by Tom Wright and Barrie Kosky, with new score by Katie Noonan and libretto by Behrouz Boochani. The comparison between what women and children experienced in times of ancient war to now – the current situation in our world right now. It is like time standing still. This script is still relevant now, why? Because human behaviour has not changed. A major theme that resonates with us in Women of Troy is the strength of women, both as individuals and in a group. We have some amazingly strong women in our life, our Nan who recently passed, my mother, my sister, aunties, friends. Also, our foremothers who were strong and smart Tasmanian Aboriginal women who have pathed the way here for Lilly, Florence and myself. We will be on stage singing to honour them, to make an impact and to shape a better, more just future.

What do you love doing outside work? Spending time with family, musical theatre, anything musical, going to the beach, playing sport and reading.

Who do you admire? The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Favourite podcast or tv show? We don’t have one, although we do enjoy watching quiz shows as a family.

Secret vice? Reality TV…

What are you reading now? Florence is reading The Worlds We Leave Behind by A.F. Harrold, illustrated by Levi Pinfold. Lilly is currently waiting for her next read. My reading does not get more exciting than uni textbooks.

What gets your goat? Dishonesty and inequality.

What was your first job? Singing teaching. I have also worked a lot in the community service industry.

What are your daily news/social media habits? We watch the SBS News as a family in the evenings.

Your favourite place (in Hobart) for…

Breakfast: Home!

Lunch: Liv Eat Fresh

Dinner: Fish Frenzy

Favourite team? The Blues in AFL, the Roses and Diamonds in Netball and Manchester City in football.

Favourite Hobart secret? We do have a favourite beach that’s beautiful, but we won’t share that…ha ha!

Parting words? Come to Women of Troy!

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Extras

Hobart Happenings

by Stephanie Williams

OFF SEASON: Bits And Pieces

Not many people have a garden named after them but one of the founders of modern organic gardening in Tasmania, David, can enjoy the spoils of the David Stephen Neighbourhood Garden (formerly Kickstart CG) in New Town.

Hobart Happenings

Hobart Happenings in March 2024

Hobart Happenings

Hobart Happenings in February 2024

Stay up to date with everything happening at the Hobart Magazine.

Even though Tasmania is known for its mild summers, it doesn’t take much to get sunburnt. Tasmania experiences extreme ultraviolet (UV) levels, but contrary to popular belief this isn’t due to the hole in the ozone layer, which is actually south of the continent.While higher UV levels often occur at the same time as higher temperatures, the two are not linked. Instead, UV levels are determined by the angle of the sun in the sky: the higher the sun, the higher the UV. In December and January, the position of the sun over Tasmania gives the state a UV index of 11 or more on most days, which is classified as “extreme” on the UV index. Tasmania’s lack of humidity and generally clear skies contribute to the stinging feeling of the sun. UV can reflect off buildings and water, making it possible to get a higher dose of UV from these reflected rays, even in the shade.

Having just spent a year in Antarctica, Dr Meg is ready to get back to her patients and passion projects in Hobart.

Setting up shop during a pandemic was a risky move, but if the crowd at Dāna Eating House (Dāna) on a Friday night is anything to go by, it’s one that’s paid off. With tables of diners chatting and laughing over drinks, the music and conversation buzzes off the monstera-leaf-green walls. Low-hanging rattan lights and worn wooden floorboards give the newly opened South-East Asian fusion venue in Hobart’s CBD a relaxed vibe.

These women have been suiting up Tasmania’s front-line workers for more than 30 years.

A simple cave provided the perfect hideout for one of Tasmania’s most brutal bushrangers – and you can easily walk to it from Fern Tree. Sarah Aitken went in search of the story of Rocky Whelan.

Thank you to Luke Brokensha for mobilising his friends and local residents recently to host two rubbish clean ups along the Hobart Rivulet after heavy rains.

The warm weather returns...hello summer.

Need a laugh? Check out @theinspiredunemployed feed on Instagram.

Moto Vecchia Cafe in Bellerive and Czegs Cafe in Richmond have joined the Clarence City Council dementia program, creating dementia-friendly spaces for all patrons.

It’s hard to believe it’s not standard practice to have a working phone in every aged care room - shared phones make private conversations impossible and increase the risk of spreading COVID-19.

Tacks on the tracks. Mountain bikers beware of tacks being left on certain tracks on the mountain.

Just when you think your cousins are alright. NZ Opposition Leader Judith Collins took aim at Tassie during her recent (unsuccessful) campaign, calling us Australia’s “poor cousin.” She also seems worried about us nabbing tech businesses, “It’s a lovely part of the world but do you necessarily want to go there with your high- tech business? Possibly not,” she said. We beg to differ!