NEW NEW NEW

Newest kid on the Hobart cafe scene, Lobby (134 Macquarie Street, Hobart) is opening as a coffee and sandwich bar in the Lands Building for morning coffee or lunchtime bite to eat. Can’t get enough sushi? Mainland chain, Sushi Hub (The Cat & Fiddle Arcade, Elizabeth Street, Hobart) have landed in Hobart, opening the brand’s first Tassie store next door to Smiggle. Have your cake and eat it too. Lipscombe Larder (3 Victoria Street, Hobart) have opened their new outlet in Hobart’s CBD, with espresso and pastries on offer, as well as being a pick up point for their catering and cakes. Fresh new face, Southside (402 Macquarie Street, South Hobart) is a moment away from opening, promising a healthy takeaway menu in the old fish and chip shop space. The team from Orlando Plenty have opened their new cafe venture, The Lanterns (Arthur Highway, Dunalley), along the main drag in Dunalley. Perfect for a coffee stop on your way around the peninsula. Send flowers via a new flower delivery service Nola (8/29 Lincoln Street, Lindisfarne). They’re sending bountiful blooms to doorstops right across greater Hobart. Offering same day deliv­ery, Tuesday-Friday. There’s a new spot to try wines from the Tamar Valley. Evenfall Wines (2 Upper Mcewans Rd, Legana) is situated among country fields with views of the Tamar River. Stop for a drop or two, with a side of East Coast rock oys­ters or beetroot tartare. Cellar door opens daily from 10am. T2 (The Cat & Fiddle Arcade, Elizabeth Street, Hobart) have re­cently made the move from Collins Street into the former Maccas space in The Cat and Fiddle Arcade. Devonport Tenpin Bowl (103-105 William St, Devonport) are planning to launch two brand new escape rooms to test your wits. The two rooms, Forbidden Forest and Midnight Manor are set to open in April. Hobartians may have noticed a change in the air with Target (52 Elizabeth Street Mall, Hobart) flipping their stock to Kmart-style offer­ings. The changeover is ongoing so watch this space Anko-lovers. Keep your eyes peeled for PedalBite Bicycle Garage (New Town Road, Hobart), a new bike service and coffee shop opening soon in New Town.

CALL OUT TO JOIN LGBTIQA+ REFERENCE GROUP

Expressions of interest are open to be part of the new City of Hobart LGBTIQA+ Reference Group. The group will give advice on the implementation of the City of Hobart’s LGBTIQA+ Commitment, as well as identifying potential future actions on issues such as discrimination, stigma and empowerment. If you or your organisation are interested in taking part, head to www.hobartcity.com.au.

PLASTIC BAGS WANTED

Do you have a collection of good quality, clean plastic bags that appear to be breed­ing? Let them be free to live a better life with Hobart City Mission. Their Emer­gency Relief team hands out up to twenty food packs per day and have recently called for some donated reusable bags so that they can continue to do so. You can donate them to the office at 50 Barrack St in the City or 11 Main Road, Moonah.

11 YEAR-OLD’S EPIC 350KM RIDE FOR BONE MARROW RESEARCH

Young lad, Hugo Green is gearing up to ride a marathon 350km down Tasmania’s East Coast to raise awareness for Bone Marrow Failure Syndrome. Eleven-year-old Hugo will be taking up the mammoth challenge for his friend Will, who is battling aplastic anemia, with the aim of raising $10,000 to support both his friend and the Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision charity. According to Hugo’s parent, also named Will, “The bike ride is a signif­icant challenge for an 11-year-old, but Hugo is determined to push himself to the limit for these important causes. He is seeking your support to help him reach his fundraising goal and make a meaning­ful impact in the lives of those affected by aplastic anemia and related conditions.” To find out more or to support Hugo, head to www.mrv.org.au/support-hugos-ride.

BIG AWARD FOR YOUNG TASMANIAN LANDCARER

Shout out to passionate environmen­talist, Luke Cooper. Luke recently received the 2023 Young Tasmanian Landcarer Award for his contribution to Tasmania’s ecosystems, includ­ing almost eradicating the invasive Montpelier broom from Ocean Beach and restoring a patch of Eucalyptus globulus wet forest at the Sandy Bay UTAS campus. The award recog­nises Luke’s dedication to the natural environment and his impact on local communities across Tasmania. Along with being a founding member and current president of the UTAS Landcare Society and founder and current treas­urer of Wildcare Friends of the Henty, Luke has led more than 25 landcare events across the state, teaching students important skills around land management, regeneration and restoration. Congratulations Luke, for your tireless work with the Tasmanian environmental community.

THE FLOWER POWER PROJECT

Hannah Moloney and Nadia Danti from Goodlife Permaculture have started a sweet new seasonal project to give away flowers, “to create small explo­sions of joy and love in us and others.” If you’d like to donate flowers from your garden or suggest a deserving local recipient head to www.goodlifep­ermaculture.com.au for all the details. In their words, “While some might think projects like this one are com­pletely unnecessary, they’re actually completely essential for crafting joy amongst the not-joy that runs through the world. So here’s to more flowers, more gifting and more connecting with one another towards a good life and good world for all.”

SHARE THE LOVE AND DONATE BLOOD THIS VALENTINES DAY

With Valentine’s Day upon us, February is the perfect time to give a gift straight from the heart by donating blood. Australia needs three blood donations every minute to meet demand, so rolling up your sleeves for Valentine’s Day is a great way to share the love and save lives. To find your nearest donation centre, head to www.lifeblood. com.au/donor-centre. Can’t give blood? No worries. Check out www.redcross.org.au for other cupid-approved ways to bring more love into the world this February.

SCOTT ROTH STICKS WITH THE JACKIES UNTIL 2027

JackJumpers head coach, Scott Roth, will stay in the role leading the Tasma­nian basketball team until the end of the 2026/27 NBL season. The club and Roth activated the mutual option on his existing contract, plus a further one year extension to see the coach stay in Tasmania until the end of 2026/27. Tasmania JackJumpers CEO Christine Finnegan said, “We’re pleased to announce Scott’s commitment to the club for the next three seasons and to continue to build sustained success for the club both on and off the court,” adding, “Participation, corporate, member and fan engagement are at an all-time high, and continues to grow, and we are very grateful to Scott in the role he has played in this so far and will continue to do so into the future.” Finnegan said. The Tasmania JackJumpers also hold the title of the hottest ticket in town, selling out throughout their season. Go the Jackies!

GET ON YOUR BIKE THIS MARCH

This year Tasmanian Bike Week runs from 1-8 March to promote recrea­tional, sport and transport bike riding in Tasmania. The week also aims to give people opportunities and support to ride more often. The week is stacked full of events including social rides for more casual and recreational cyclists, tougher challenges such as The Hobart Wheelers Club kunanyi Challenge time trial on Sunday 3 March, and the Super Tuesday annual commuter count, on 5 March. Owners of ebikes can also join in with the 12km Queens View social ride held on 1 March. To find out more about what’s on during Tasmanian Bike Week, head to www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/tasmanianbikeweek.

DIGITAL LITERACY HELP AT HAND

Unfortunately, Tasmania has one of the lowest levels of digital literacy in the country. The release of last year’s Australian Digital Inclusion Index showed improvement, but our digital inclusion score remained 3.2 points behind the national average. To support community members wanting help with all things digital, Libraries Tasmania have a series of free Digital Skills Sessions and free one-on-one IT help in their larger southern libraries. The sessions from March to May include Unlocking Languages with Technology, Digital Wilderness – Using Outdoor Apps, and Your Digital Legacy. Check your local library for specific details.

THE FUTURE OF TOYS IN HOBART

What happens when you put a pile of plastic toys, plastic recycling machines, the imagination of young people and the wisdom of old people together in a room? We’ll soon find out!

‘Future of Toys’ artists Benjamin Paul, Caitlin Fargher and Sarah Hall are run­ning an intergenerational workshop for young people (7-12 years old) collabo­rating with elderly people (75+) that will look into plastic waste and new recycling machines. Participants will work together over two days to come up with a series of creative inventions that are based on the hopes and dreams of the young people, tempered with the wisdom and life les­sons of the elderly participants.

This is part of a long series of work­shops that Ben has been running across Australia over the past five years, and will be the first time working with two generations to create the inventions. The workshops are on 5-6 February, followed by an exhibition at Good Grief Studios from 16 February that runs for two weeks. For more information head to www.fb.me/e/iGmYn8eDw to register for a workshop. The workshops are being held at the Battery Point Community Hall from 9am-4pm.

SPRINGS LOOKOUT SPRUCE UP

The Springs Lookout on kunanyi/Mt Wellington has reopened after a glow up. The City of Hobart announced the completion of works on the lookout last month. According to the September 2022 Tasmanian Visitor Survey, kunanyi/ Mt Wellington is the State’s second most visited tourist attraction and the most visited natural site (after Cradle Mountain/Lake St Clair). Councillor Bill Harvey, the Chair of the Hobart Sustainability of Infrastructure Portfolio, said finding the right balance for the mountain was a high priority. “The City of Hobart is committed to enhancing the accessibility and safety of kunanyi/Mt Wellington for both residents and visitors alike,” Cr Harvey said. “The upcoming completion of the Zig Zag track, replace­ment of the Pinnacle Road guard rail, and ongoing surface works on the Big Bend Fire Trail are integral parts of our compre­hensive plan. These initiatives not only prioritise safety but also ensure that the natural beauty of kunanyi/Mt Wellington is preserved for future generations.”

LOCAL TASSIE WOMEN IN LITERATURE CELEBRATED

Stella Day Out is a day of celebrat­ing local women in literature, run by the Stella Prize. Held on 16 February, the day will feature two free sessions: Exploring Hope and Trust in Fiction with Amanda Lohrey in conversation with Michelle Cahill (1-2pm), and Nothing Bad Ever Happens Here with Heather Rose in conversation with Danielle Wood (2:30-3:30pm). Held at The Salon at The Hedberg, sessions are free but bookings are essential, so grab your tickets via www.stella.org.au/initiatives/stella-day-out.

GET DUCKED: NEW TASMANIAN DUCK INFO BOOKLET LAUNCHES

Want to learn more about Tasmanian ducks? A new booklet from Landcare’s Pacific Black Duck Conservation Group (PBDCG), in conjunction with the Derwent Estuary Program, was launched recently at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens. The booklet, Ducks of Tasmania, shares information about different Tasmanian duck species and encourages people to try to spot them rather than feed them. The PBDCG has also been aiding Tasmanian councils, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment and the Derwent Estuary Program to develop new up-to-date signs and websites about the impacts of feeding ducks. Copies of the Ducks of Tasmania booklet are available through PBDCG’s Facebook group and Instagram.

BAD FOR TASSIE DEVILS, GOOD FOR QUOLLS?

The decline in Tasmanian devil numbers due to facial cancer is having a signifi­cant impact on the spotted-tailed quoll. A global research team, with experts from the University of Tasmania, have found the decline of Tasmania’s top predator species has led to increased activity and less competition for quolls. The team found there have also been changes in the genetic make-up of the quolls – the next level of predatory species in the ecosystem. Menna Jones, Professor of Biological Sciences and a marsupial carnivore expert from the University of Tasmania’s School of Natural Sciences, said the activity of the quoll had shifted in the areas where Tasmanian devil numbers had severely reduced. “Spotted-tailed quolls have shifted their peak night-time activity, from pre-dawn to avoid devils, to early evening with low devils when most prey are active and hunting is the best. We found that with fewer devils – Tasmania’s top scavenger – quolls are benefiting from more carrion and are spending more time feeding at carcasses,” Professor Jones said.

“There is less competition and more food, reducing the need for quolls to move around as much or as far as they once would have,” Professor Jones said. “There’s also changing evolution­ary pressure on physical performance associated with escaping from devils and fertility of the quoll populations as devil numbers decline.”

MINI DARK MOFO DEETS RELEASED

Mona has clarified just what will make up the reduced Dark Mofo this year when the full festival hits pause to recalibrate. Winter Feast will go for two long weekends: 13-16 June and 20-23 June. The Nude Solstice Swim will be on Friday 21 June. New exhibition Namedropping will open 15 June with The Mona Gala celebrating it the night prior. Night Shift – a debaucherous dance party last seen in 2021 – will be on into the wee hours of 21 and 22 June. An allo­cation of tickets to the Mona Gala will go on sale in March, and tickets to all other events will go on sale in April.

ALL VOLUNTEER HANDS ON RAKES FOR BONORONG

Bonorong has put out a call for volunteers to help around the sanctuary, particularly with raking. A recent social media post shared, “with a recent influx of calls for injured and orphaned wildlife and our teams busier than ever, we’ve been struggling to keep up with tidying the bank grass areas within our sanctuary. For those who have visited before, you will know this is a favourite hangout spot for our resident kangaroos. If you think coming to rake with us for a couple of hours on the slopes of our beautiful sanc­tuary grounds and kangaroo areas sounds like something you could do, then please get in touch!” A group induction will be organised soon – after completing that, volunteers could help out any day of the week at any time, as regularly as it suits. To put your hand up to help out email info@bonorong.com.au.

CELEBRATING QUEEN MARY’S ROOTS WITH A TASSIE TREE

To celebrate Hobart-born Mary Donaldson becoming the Queen of Denmark, the City of Hobart will plant a tree. A Blue Gum (eucalyptus globulus), Tasmania’s floral emblem, will be planted in Hobart at a later date, in a location accessible to the public. Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said it was an honour to mark the occasion. “Hobart is immensely proud of Queen Mary’s Tasmanian roots, and we are excited to celebrate this joyous occasion with a meaningful gesture that reflects our shared history and connection,” Cr Reynolds said. “This gift not only symbolises the warmth and friendship between Hobart and Copenhagen but also aligns with the City of Hobart’s commit­ment to environmental sustainability.”

WORK UNDERWAY AT HOBART CENTRAL CAR PARK

Maintenance and replacement work started last month on the lifts at Hobart Central Car Park, the one between Melville and Bathurst streets. The works, which are due to be finished in April, involve removing one lift unit at a time, decommissioning it, and installing a brand-new lift unit. There will be minor parking restrictions on Level 4 and the open roof level with these areas fenced off for safety reasons.

SHOTGUN WEDDINGS IN TOWN

Wanna get married in a hurry? Bookings are now open for couples ready to tie the knot with a small budget in Hobart. On 17 March, seven couples can get married for just $5000 at In The Hanging Garden – complete with a fully styled ceremony, professional photographer, bouquets and a one hour drinks package for ten guests. If you think you’re ready, head to www.inthehanginggarden.com.au/weddings and tell them your story to apply.

LURING GPS WITH HECS FREEBIES TO AVOID GP CLIFF

Tried to see a GP lately? The GP shortage in Tasmania is dire, but General Practice Training Tasmania (GPTT) has announced a possible solution that it says would be an Australian first. The GP Solution includes attracting 40 new graduating GPs to the state by paying their HECS debts. Paul Viney, Chair of GPTT Inc, said the money would be a sensible investment. “We are calling on the Tasmanian Government to invest just $4 million to fund 40 GPs into Tasmania. The average HECS debt of a graduating doctor is $100,000,” he said. “From recent RACGP data, only 13.1% of Australian graduates are now choosing to become GPs; six years ago it was 17% and 30 years ago it was 40%. In addition, Tasmania is headed for a GP ‘cliff’, with many of the existing cohort of full time GPs nearing retirement in circum­stances where younger GPs are tending to work part-time. The shortage of GPs, particularly in Tasmania with its ageing population, is beyond urgent. This is now directly impacting the State’s Emergency health services as patients have not received GP care and have now run out of other options.”

Singer Emily Wurramara

Award-winning musician Emily Wurramara, a proud Warnindhilyagwa woman from Groote Eylandt in the Northern Territory and now based near Dodges Ferry with her young family, has just released a new single, Magic Woman Dancing. It signals a new direction for Emily, with a new look and a tour to come. Known for her beautiful songs in English and Annandilyakwa – including some superb tracks for kids – Emily sat down to chat about her new music and her fave spots in and around Hobart.

New music! That’s exciting? Yeah, I’m so excited, and I’m so nervous! I think when you create something that’s so vulnerable, and so honest, and then has like, all these beautiful people involved, you just really want to honour everyone involved but also yourself and that journey that you had to go through to be able to make it.

What’s your favourite music venue in Hobart? I love Simple. I played there last year as part of a festival and it was wonderful. I supported Paul Kelly down at the Odeon and that was really lovely too. But I just love the intimate space and really beautiful community vibes of Simple, it’s really friendly. I love the little outside area, it’s really cool.

Have you been playing any local gigs lately? I actually try not to play as much down here, especially in my little area. But recently Ash Grunwald was playing in the Dodges Ferry pub and we went and saw him and he randomly called me on stage to sing. I was like, ‘Are you serious?! These are my neighbours! These people are the parents of the kids that go to school!’ And the older teachers were there too! I went up on stage and they were just like, looking at each other in confusion when I started singing!

What about your favourite place to go out for some food or drink? That’s an interesting one, because I don’t really go out! And when I do, I’m more of an outdoorsy person. Like I’d rather go fishing and sit at a beach and try and catch fish all day. It’s something that I did a lot with my family back at home. It is a way for me to connect with Country, like when I’m near the ocean, I know that that ocean’s connected to my Country.

There’s just this sense of belonging I feel and I try like every time I hang out with my friends, like it’s preferences either at the beach or going for a walk. You know, I’d rather do things like that. It’s much more fun.

What’s your favourite local beach? My favourite beach is White Beach. And just here at the river mouth down in Carlton, that’s another really beau­tiful one, a good beach for the babies to run around and play and lots of sand castle time too.

Emily will be playing at A Festival Called Panama in March, with more new music and tour news coming soon.

WORK IS FLOWING ON TWO MAJOR LAUNNIE WATER PROJECTS

Pipeline project: If you’re in Kings Park in Launceston, keep an eye out for bright new artwork and an increase in activity as TasWater begins the next stage of the city’s New Sewer Pipeline project. The project is a part of the Tamar Estuary River Health Action Plan (TERHAP) which is creating new sewerage infra­structure to improve the health of the kanamaluka/Tamar estuary and the sur­rounding environment. Interpretive signs outlining the project have been installed along the Richies Mill Walk. The works are planned to be completed late 2024.

Invermay Flood Levee: In more water-re­lated construction, remedial works have started to top up the Invermay flood levee between the Charles Street Bridge and the Victoria Bridge. The Launceston levee system consists of more than 12km of earth and concrete flood levees, 19 floodgates, and a series of river level gauges in Northern river catchments. City of Launceston Water Team Leader Erica Deegan said, “The proposed remedial works involve raising the levee crest to its design level and then providing an additional top up of 300mm to the area of the levee where settlement has been greater,” adding that anyone living within Launceston’s levee-protected areas was strongly encouraged to have their own emergency plan to enact in the event of a flood. The remedial works to raise the levee crest are expected to take approx­imately two months. For information on the projects or how to assess your flood risk, head to www.launceston.tas.gov.au.

UPGRADES SLATED FOR LAUNCESTON’S PRINCESS THEATRE

Plans are in the works for upgrading Launceston’s Princess Theatre and Earl Arts Centre complex. The City of Launceston put out a tender for a rede­velopment of the heritage-listed theatre in May 2023, appointing Melbourne-based architectural firm Lovell Chen to investigate infrastructure upgrades with assistance by internationally recog­nised theatre consultant Schuler Shook. Launceston Mayor Matthew Garwood said the planning would prioritise the backstage, performance, box office, front-of-house and other public-facing areas in the Princess Theatre, along with the Earl Arts Centre. “The Princess Theatre was constructed more than 100 years ago and there are a range of opportunities to make the foyers and backstage areas more functional, accessible and welcom­ing,” Mayor Garwood said. The Princess Theatre was built in 1911 and spent most of its life operating as a cinema until it was acquired by the City of Launceston in 1970.

PFAS IN LITTLE PENGUINS

Sadly, PFAS, harmful synthetic chemicals sometimes called ‘forever chemicals’, have been detected in Little Penguins and their nests in Hobart. Scientists from the University of Tasmania’s School of Natural Sciences and Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies recently detected the per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the nesting soils and blood of Little Penguins that forage and breed along Tasmania’s coastlines. PFAS are a group of chemicals that are used in many ways – from fire-fighting foams to medical devices, non-stick cookware, waterproofing, sunscreen, food pack­aging and more. Exposure can lead to various health issues in humans, including cancer. Mel Wells, a PhD candidate with UTAS and IMAS, was the lead author of a study that detected 14 different types of PFAS in nesting soils, blood and abandoned eggs of Little Penguins. Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) was the most prevalent PFAS, detected in 76% of the 50 soil samples collected from Little penguin nests, and in just over 82% of the 45 blood samples.

“We found that PFAS concentrations were positively associated with increased urbanisation around penguin colonies,” Mel said. “We detected PFAS in 100% of the samples collected from Burnie and Hobart’s Derwent Estuary. This is a real health risk to biological life, especially to marine predators like seabirds, seals and dolphins. And because we consume seafood exposed to PFAS, it’s also a risk to human health.”