NEW OPENINGS

The Migrant Resource Centre (1a Anfield St Glenorchy) have started a new lunchtime delivery and take away service. The social enterprise project is running on Thursdays and Fridays for now, with delivery available to five Hobart post codes. Yummy food whilst supporting a great cause, we are on board! Burger Zone (325 Argyle St, North Hobart) is open in Noho, at the upper end of Argyle Street. There’s chicken, beef and an extensive range of veggie burgers. There’s new life in the old Observatory Bar building in Salamanca with Franklin Wharf Bar and Restaurant (Ground Floor, Murray Street Pier) opening recently, bringing all day dining to the waterfront. Open from 7:30am, seven days a week, there’s a fresh new Sydney-vibe interior and there’s plenty of favourites on the menu. Keep your eyes peeled for a new function centre coming soon. Lark Distillery have opened their new Pontville Cellar Door (76 Shene Road, Pontville), offering an intimate and immersive whisky service inside some epic 19th-century architecture – you can tour the premises and blend your own bottle of malt whisky. The Cascade Female Factory (16 Degraves Street, South Hobart) opened their new History and Interpretation Centre, a space to highlight and celebrate the role of Australia’s convict women. Sashiko Design now has a permanent working gallery at the Salamanca Arts Centre (Shop 16) where you can find Kiyomi’s authentic traditional Japanese crafted bags, cushion covers and jewellery.

FREE BUS TRIPS FOR TASSIE!

Wincing at petrol prices? Try the bus – it’s currently free. The state government initiative began in the last week of March and is running for five weeks until the end of April, at a cost to the taxpayer of about $2 million. All public bus travel across the whole state will be included, as will the government’s publicly subsidised private services. Adrienne Picone, the CEO of TasCOSS, said it was a great move but that many Tasmanians on low incomes reside in rural and remote areas where public transport options are limited. “Free public transport for five weeks will undoubtedly assist Tasmanians with commuting costs and provides an alternative to taking the car, however we know for many Tasmanians living in under-serviced areas public transport is simply not a viable option,” said Ms Picone. For those who do live within a public transport catchment – will it encourage us to ditch the car (for a few weeks at least), to save some money, lower carbon emissions and get in some incidental exercise walking to the bus stop? Will there be enough bus drivers to keep up with the demand? Time will tell. In the meantime, enjoy a free ride.

FEELING LONELY? CHECK OUT THESE GREAT WAYS TO SOCIALISE IN HOBART

Friends can come and go and social circles change as you age, but social interaction doesn’t and shouldn’t have to slow. Tasmania has one of the highest ageing populations per capita in Australia, making it the perfect grounds to establish some new life long friendships through social outings and events. Mathers House and Criterion House both facilitate programs and activities for those in their golden years, aiming to celebrate and share the wisdom one can only have from a lifetime of experience. There are book club meetings, technology assistance programs, and different outings planned each month. Fresh air and vitamin D are the best antidote to feeling a little blue, so a helping hand in the garden might be exactly what you need. Still Gardening pairs up volunteer “garden mates” with avid senior gardeners to help with the never-ending weeding and pruning, and any heavy lifting. Residents get to still be involved and get their hands dirty, just with a little company and an extra set of hands. To participate in this program, contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422. Don’t forget the Mens Shed Association. This one’s for all ages but if you were once handy on the tools and have trouble sitting still, head down to your local shed where you might be able to learn a new skill, or teach someone your own. Fancy a cuppa and a chat? The Shed is a one stop shop and brings together that camaraderie we all love, and maybe miss, in a workplace. Head to www.tasmanianmensshed.org.au to find your shed.

AAAH-CHOO READY? WINTER FLU SEASON INCOMING

Now’s the time to plan for the flu, with vaccinations recommended from mid-April. Health authorities are pleading with the Tassie public to get the flu vaccine before winter truly hits this year, and they’re hoping to break previous records. “This winter, we will be aiming to boost the number of people with a Covid booster vaccine, increase our child vaccination rates and achieve record flu vaccination rates particularly amongst vulnerable Tasmanians,” Health department secretary Kathrine Morgan Wicks said. The flu vax is free for all children aged between six months and five years, adults over 65, pregnant women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from six months of age, and anyone over six months of age with a chronic medical condition. Flu vaccines are available through your GP and some local council immunisation clinics and pharmacies. Don’t forget to call ahead first to check.

NATIONAL STANDARD BMX TRACK ON THE WAY FOR SORELL

We could be in for a new, national standard BMX track in Sorell. Sorell Council recently gave in-principle support for the relocation of the Southern City BMX Track, which is currently in Berriedale, to Pembroke Park in Sorell. The track was originally going to relocate to Tolosa Park in Glenorchy but geotechnical issues would have increased the cost to approximately $2.1 million, far exceeding the project’s proposed budget. The new track will be partially funded by the Tasmanian Government through a $250,000 grant from the Department of Community, Sport and Recreation. Glenorchy City Council may also contribute to the relocation costs, with negotiations around the funding arrangements continuing. Sorell Council will now conduct further investigations to confirm the cost of building the new facility before making a final decision on the move.

CHANGES TO TASSIE CAT LAWS NOW IN EFFECT

New changes to the Cat Management Act 2009 came into effect on 1 March 2022, ordering cat owners to microchip and desex their pets once they reach four months of age. Aiming to reduce the impact on Tasmania’s environment and to improve the welfare of domestic cats, the changes will hope to also decrease the number of unwanted litters born each year. Cat owners are also limited to no more than four cats on their property without a permit, and those wanting to breed from their cats must be a member of a registered cat organisation. Visit the DPIPWE website for more information.

ASTHMA TOOLKIT UPDATE

Asthma Australia has released the latest edition of their Asthma Toolkit, a must have for people living with asthma and breathing difficulties. Each toolkit has a bunch of resources to help manage life and the difficulties asthma can impose on everyday life. There’s an action plan to keep track of your breathing changes, common questions to ask your doctor, an emergency wallet card if you find yourself in trouble, all to make living with asthma a little bit easier. You can order a free toolkit online via jtyler@asthma.org.au or call 03 9086 7866.

A KNITTING SUCCESS!

In the lead-up to International Women’s Day, there was a call out for Tasmanian ladies to celebrate their favourite body bit by re-creating it in any textile form. The launch of the Knit Your Bits exhibition was a huge success at Ross on 8 March, with 82 items on exhibit. There were gold bowels, fancy felt vaginas and a pair of ‘speak up’ lips forged from knitted squares from the Goodwood community. Over 50 women attended the first day of the travelling exhibit which will make its way around the state before coming to Moonah Arts Centre in August where the People’s Prize of $1000 will be announced. Check the Women’s Health Tasmania website for more. Pics by Karen Brown Photography.

FOOD FOREST INCOMING

There’s a new food forest coming to town. SOHO ARTS have been given a grant to plant and host the communi­ty-owned collection of edible plants, and Lucinda Toynbee Wilson, Manager of SOHO ARTS, told The Hobart Magazine why it’s such a great idea for Hobart suburbs.

Tell us what the plan is with the food forest in South Hobart?

A food forest is a planting design that chooses edible plants over purely decorative ones. It is an increasingly popular way to access local produce and on an urban scale support food security.

When and where will it be?

The garden is being planted on the community thoroughfare that runs through SOHO ARTS. SOHO ARTS is a community owned facility in the old Macquarie Street School building and the garden will weave around the com­munity hall they run. Volunteers have started clearing the ground for planting in Autumn.

What will be planted?

There will be a mix of perennial herbs, fruit and nut trees. Hardy edible plants, that will thrive in a public place.

Who is it for?

It’s for the community. It is responding to a strong desire from South Hobart residents to be proactive and increase public amenity for everyone.

Has a public food forest happened anywhere else in Hobart?

I’m sure it has! There is a strong con­nection to permaculture philosophy and Tasmanians are big gardeners.

How can people get involved – whether they’re in South Hobart or elsewhere?

We are planning working bees so if people want to lend a hand email manager@soholivingarts.org and we will send out the info.

If someone reads this from another suburb and thinks “gosh I’d like to create that in my suburb!”, what would you suggest they do?

This project is a partnership between the South Hobart Sustainable Communities and SOHO ARTS. I would suggest people look to their own version of similar organisations or go to your local MP. There are a number of Federal grant opportunities that they help facilitate. Andrew Wilkie’s office was incredibly helpful getting this project off the ground and supported.

SANDY BAY TO BATTERY POINT WALKWAY TO BE REVISITED

A report is being prepared into the cost of redesigning the proposed Battery Point Walkway project, which would see Sandy Bay and Battery Point linked for walkers and cyclists. Hobart City Council will view the report which summarises relevant costs and investigate the potential cost of redesigning the walkway. In the March council meeting Councillor Mike Dutta moved the motion to consider reviving the project, which has been suggested in the past but met with concerns from local residents. Cr Dutta said the walkway could become an iconic feature and improve active travel connectivity. Cr Behrakis pointed out that the walkway would unfairly impact Battery Point home owners. Given we’re experiencing businesses and households under financial pressure, is the proposal’s timing ideal for council funding?

NEW LAW SCHOLARSHIP FOR FIRST NATIONS STUDENTS

A new university scholarship has been developed to support more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to study law at university. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are over-represented in the criminal justice system and under-represented in the legal profession. The Rose Smith Law Scholarship – named after one of the first Aboriginal people to be admitted to practise Law in Tasmania – will be awarded annually to a first-year student and will last for the four years of their law degree. The scholarship is a collaboration between the Riawunna Centre for Aboriginal Education, the Law Faculty at the University of Tasmania and Tasmania Legal Aid. Professor Greg Lehman, the Pro Vice-Chancellor Aboriginal Leadership at the University, said improving access and pathways for Aboriginal students, from course entry through to employment, was a major priority. “Opportunities such as this can be life changing for students. Rosie has inspired us all and we are delighted, with our collaborators, to honour her contribution in this way.”

GOT SPARE BIKES? DONATE THEM!

The Tasmanian Bike Collective are on the hunt for donated bikes to use in their programs. TasBC empowers young people to learn new life and work skills through the medium of working on and restoring bikes. They’re always on the lookout for good quality (i.e. not rusty, really cheap or trashed) bikes and bike parts, but at the moment they are particularly in need of 20 inch bikes. Ant Adler, the Director of TasBC said any donated bikes will be put to very good use. “All donated bikes are used to mentor and develop work skills in young people who are struggling at school or home. Once the bikes are restored they are sold on and the money raised is put back into running the program.” The Bike Collective is excited to be getting ready to launch its third program in May this year. The Clarence Plains Bike Collective will work alongside young people from Rokeby and Clarendon Vale. If you have a bike, or bikes, languishing, get in touch with them via www.tasbc.com.au/donate.

REDEVELOPMENT IDEAS WELCOME FOR GIBLIN STREET QUARRY

Got some ideas about how a former quarry could be redeveloped? The City of Hobart is all ears, launching an Expressions of Interest for how the unused land should be redeveloped. The Giblin Street Quarry has been rehabilitated in recent years, and council wants economic or community benefit to be at the forefront of whatever is proposed. The land was an old asphalt quarry in its previous life, so there’s a few topography and accessibility issues, but plenty of potential for industrial or large-scale recreational development. There is also a second, smaller parcel of land suitable for residential development, pending the larger block’s development. Expressions of interests for both properties will close 28 April, 2022, contact Devine Property for applications.

MADE/WORN: AUSTRALIAN CONTEMPORARY JEWELLERY ON SHOW AT TMAG

This autumn, TMAG is featuring 22 contemporary jewellers who are currently creating in Australia. Australian Design Centre touring exhibition Made/Worn: Australian Contemporary Jewellery is a vibrant exhibition that explores the act of making and how jewellery is worn on the body, with intimate and more large-scale works on show too. The exhihbition is on until 15 May in Argyle Gallery 4. Go find yourself something nice. Pic: Made/Worn: Australian Contemporary Jewellery, Liam Benson, Coat of Arms, 2009. Image: Steven Cook.

DIRTY DERWENT NO MORE

A recent clean up at Prince of Wales Bay has seen a reduction in the litter found. Around mid-March local busi­nesses joined with the Derwent Estuary Program (DEP) to crack down on the litter hotspot as part of this year’s Clean-Up Australia Business Day Campaign. Ursula Taylor, CEO of the Derwent Estuary Program told us Prince of Wales Bay had been identified as a litter hotspot and a focus for the DEP for a few years. Ursula said the reduction in huge deposits of litter over that time was encouraging but that, unfortunately, microplastics were an ongoing issue.

Talk us through the recent clean up at Prince of Wales Bay.

This is the fourth year we have cleaned up at Prince of Wales Bay. We were pleased to find that the litter load has reduced. There was still plenty of litter but the knee deep piles of bottles and plastics have gone. Mostly we are dealing with small pieces of plastics including polystyrene, foam, food wrappers etc.

Why was Prince of Wales Bay chosen for these clean ups?

Prince of Wales Bay has a significant litter load which is due to the urban nature of the catchment and shape of the bay, which traps litter along the shoreline.

What impact do you see small plastics and microplastics having on the Derwent River?

We are pleased that the litter trap installed in the nearby rivulet by Glenorchy City Council is capturing litter and preventing it reaching the bay. However it was incredibly sobering to see the huge quantity of small pieces of plastic in this part of the Derwent. Our concern is that as these pieces get smaller they will eventually end up as fish or bird food which we know is detri­mental to their health.

How is the general state of the bays along the Derwent in regards to litter? Is it getting better or worse?

Some bays accumulate litter more than others due the catchment and the shape. On our annual ricegrass weed survey we also map litter hot spots. Some places are difficult to access so we liaise with our council partners about managing these sites. Litter will continue to be a challenge for us because of the amount of packaging that goes with the way we all live.

Can people get in touch to suggest a spot for a clean up?

Yes, we’d be happy to hear about litter hotspots in the Derwent, and we encour­age local groups to help by organising their own clean up events. Clean Up Australia Day has great resources for groups and they encourage clean-ups at any time of year.

What should we be focusing on when it comes to litter around the Derwent?

I’d like to encourage everyone to be litter aware as we go about our daily lives. Whether it’s the choices we make at the supermarket to buy items with less or no packaging, or picking up litter on a walk with the dog. Every little bit will help, and the actions of many will make a big difference.

NEW ASPHALT PUMP TRACK FOR KINGBOROUGH

A new asphalt pump track is being built in Kingborough. The existing small dirt pump track at the mountain bike park will be upgraded and extended to become about 3-4 times the size. The new track will be funded by the Department of Communities with Kingborough Council contributing $65,000 to improve the area facilities including a shelter, seating, a bike rack and carpark upgrades.

BE BRAVE, MAKE CHANGE THIS NATIONAL RECONCILIATION WEEK

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) has been held since 1996, between 27 May and 3 June. The week commemorates the 1967 referendum which gave Aboriginal Australians the right to vote, and the 1992 High Court Mabo ruling which debunked the idea of ‘terra-nullius’ and paved the way for native title. Each year NRW follows a theme, and this year Australians are being challenged to “Be Brave, Make Change” and tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation. Following this year’s theme closely, Reconciliation Tasmania is bringing two brave change makers to this year’s annual NRW breakfasts. Signatory to the Uluru Statement from the Heart and Enshrinement of the Voice campaigner, Thomas Mayor, will travel from the Northern Territory to Tasmania for NRW. He’ll be joined by the 2022 Tasmanian Young Australian of the Year, North-West palawa woman Kaytlyn Johnson. The breakfasts will be held in Hobart on 1 June, the following day in Devonport on 2 June and finish in Launceston on 3 June. For more details and bookings go to www.rectas.com.au/national-reconciliation-week.

TASSIE TOURISM WINNERS ARE GRINNERS

Congratulations to all the winners at the recent Australian Tourism Awards! After a tumultuous few years, members of the Tasmanian tourism industry snagged eight gold medals, four silvers and three bronze. Coal River Farm, Wonders of Wynyard, Gordon River Cruises and Mures each took away their first National Gold Medals. The other home-grown gold winners were Saffire Freycinet, Pumphouse Point, Pennicott Wilderness Journeys and Blue Derby Pods Ride (who won the Judges Choice Award for innovation through the pandemic). Tasmanian silver medal winners were MACq 01 Hotel, Coal River Farm and Wukalina Walk. Peppers Silo Hotel, Ashdowns of Dover and Tasmanian Walking Company all received a Bronze medal.

FREE PETROL: ESSENTIAL COMMUNITY SERVICES FUEL RELIEF PROGRAM OPEN NOW

Are you involved with a not-for-profit organisation and finding rising petrol prices are affecting you? The Tasmanian Government has established the Fuel Relief Program as a one-off relief package for not-for-profit organisations to help ensure essential support services for Tasmanians in need can continue, uninterrupted. The grant program is designed to provide funding support to assist with the recent increase to fuel costs. If you’re thinking of applying, get in quick! All applications will be assessed as they are submitted until the full funding available of $100,000 has been exhausted, or 30 April, which ever comes first. The maximum an organisation can apply for is $2000. For further information, please contact Communities, Sport and Recreation by emailing csrgrants@communities.tas.gov.au or phoning on 1800 204 224.