HOBART LOSES ITS LAUNCESTON KOMBI TWIN

Launceston recently said goodbye to the Red Herring Kombi van which resided on the roof of the Charles Street store for two decades. The decision to remove the iconic Kombi was made due to the deterioration of the van. The Assistant Store Manager of the Launceston Red Herring store has given the icon a new home with plans to restore the van in the future. While it’s an end of an era for the Red Herring mascot in Launnie, the van’s “twin” is still proudly perched atop the Tassie surf shop’s Hobart outlet in Liverpool Street.

NEW NEW NEW

Lovers of Vietnamese treats can check out Hahi’s Diary Dessert Cafe (126 Bathurst St, Hobart). The modern cafe is tucked underneath The Commons apartment building and specialises in Instagrammable dishes like cassava churros, banh mi and delicious ca phe trung, egg coffee. Anju Food (112 Murray Street, Hobart) is the newest addition to In The Hanging Garden. Anju combines classic Korean barbecue food with a modern tapas twist. A new wine bar has opened in South Hobart, in the former Lupin space. South Wine Bar (4 Cascade Road, South Hobart) is a cute, neighbourhood bar, with a menu based on local produce, showcasing the best Tasmania has to offer on a plate. North Hobart locals have a new brekkie and lunch spot with the opening of Trophy Room (342 Argyle Street, North Hobart) – think quality croissants, pastries, mortadella, toast…yum, we’re hungry just writing this. Icecream is returning to Moonah in the form of Bertie’s On Albert (51 Albert Road, Moonah) in the former Valhalla Ice Cream shop. The ‘inside scoop’ is they’re opening soon, so watch this space. Kingston lovers of coffee are in for a treat with the opening of Parklane Espresso (17 Denison Street, Kingston) in the new Lantern Centre. This will be the second location for the popular cafe. Skater’s can now drop sick tricks at the new Montrose Bay Skate Park (Montrose Foreshore, Brooker Hwy). The fences are down and the park is ready right in time for the warmer weather. Bridgewater Foreshore Parkland (2 Eddington Street, Bridgewater) has officially opened, boasting new gardens, BBQ facilities including shelters and public toilets, bike racks and play equipment. The parklands are located along the Bridgewater foreshore which has great views of the Derwent River and kunanyi/Mt Wellington. Stylish car brand CUPRA has arrived with the opening of their new showroom at JMC Hobart. CUPRA Hobart (28A Warwick St, Hobart) is bringing ‘Barcelona to Australia’ through their range of performance cars, including sleek hybrid and all electric vehicles. Lake Leather Hobart (367 Elizabeth St, North Hobart) is bring a touch of luxury to the North Hobart restaurant strip. Their new concept store boasts a unique collection of leather bags, belts, footwear, travel ware and clothing. Tasmanian health insurer, St.LukesHealth Hobart (72 Elizabeth St, Hobart), has settled into their customer care centre on the corner of Liverpool and Elizabeth streets. The new space will host a range of sessions, events, and activities for members and the community to attend. Art lovers can enjoy a floating feast for the eyes with the opening of Pier Gallery (12 Franklin Wharf, Hobart). The contemporary art space is being launched by renowned Hobart photographer and artist, Andrew Wilson. The first exhibition is coming soon, so keep an eye out for this one at pier.gallery.com.

HOBART BIOCHAR TRIAL TO TURN GREEN WASTE INTO FERTILISER

The City of Hobart is conducting a onemonth trial project aimed at turning green waste into biochar, a fine-grained charcoal that can enrich garden soil, store carbon and reduce the need for fertilisers. The trial is taking place at the McRobies Gully Waste Management Centre to demonstrate the operation of a biochar kiln, measure the volume of green waste that could be converted into biochar, and trial uses for the biochar. The biochar produced by the trial project, which was initiated by Southern Tasmanian Councils Authority and run by Indigenous-owned and led charity, Heal Country, will be used for regenerating Country, council landscaping, and horticulture activities.

NEW PHONE DETECTION CAMERAS ROLL OUT ACROSS TASSIE

New cameras set up to detect drivers using their mobile phones or not wearing seatbelts have already nabbed a bunch of drivers in Hobart. The new cameras can even pick up when drivers have a mobile phone on their lap or if they’re looking at a passenger’s phone. Offenders will be hit with a $390 fine and three demerit points.

WILL A PITCH SHORTAGE STOP MATILDAS MOMENTUM IN TASSIE?

Gripped by Matildas fever? Can’t get enough of these newly minted superstars? If you’re anything like us, you’ve been revelling in the achievements of this team in the recent Women’s World Cup. Naturally attention now turns to what happens next and how Tasmanian football can ride this wave of interest in soccer. Smashing viewing records and maxing out stadium attendances confirmed that people want to watch women’s soccer. The next step is looking at how that translates to opportunities for women and girls to play, and in Tasmania, review the pathways and infrastructure that all players can benefit from.

Outgoing CEO of Football Tasmania, Matt Bulkeley recently said, “We’re fielding significant enquiries already for next season from players, referees and coaches. We would expect to see a 5-10% spike in players in a World Cup year, but given it has been in Australia and the Matildas have done so well, I expect that will exceed 10%. Our challenge is to harness that enthusiasm and make sure we have the right opportunities for all those who want to play.”

“We already know we have a pitch shortage and that’s going to be exacerbated very quickly by the influx of players we’re going to have. We need to keep working with government for what we need. This is about harnessing that and articulating what our sport provides, not just for future Matilda’s or Socceroos but the benefits – physical, social, mental health – that our sport can provide.”

One such project is the construction of a Northern Suburbs Junior Football Hub at Chigwell. In 2019, it was announced that $12.8 million in federal funding had been secured to create a Junior Football Hub, with five separate pitches, two of them with a synthetic surface, as well as high-quality lighting, new female-friendly change rooms, a function centre, spectator stand and car parking. We’re now in 2023, the Hub isn’t fully open and the need for more pitches is only increasing. Independent Member for Clark, Andrew Wilkie said, “After a slow start the project is moving ahead. At least one of the fields is established with lights and in use. And I believe the development application for the new club house is almost finalised.”

And for the kids who dream to play on a bigger stage than our island, is it time to push harder for a team in Australia’s highest level of competition, the A-League? Matt Bulkeley shared, “We’re feeling very positive about our chances to be the 15th or 16th team licence, which is as soon as 2025 or 2026. There’s no doubt the Women’s World Cup will add momentum to that process. It adds further rationale to the need to have better pathways, to have local elite football, women’s and men’s, for the football community and broader Tasmanian community to get behind. We’ve seen what can happen if we provide that content.” Andrew Willkie added, “My understanding is that there are still investors interested in a Tasmanian A-League team, although the roadblock remains the lack of a high-quality rectangular facility. In the interim I’m backing the push for a Tasmanian team in the National Second Tier Competition.”

Matt’s replacement, Tony Pignata, will step into the role of CEO of Football Tasmania on 11 September. He was the former CEO of Football Victoria and Perth Glory.

LOCAL PRIZE ATTRACTING FURNITURE DESIGN BIG GUNS!

Fifteen finalists (including five Tasmanians) from around the country have been selected for this year’s prestigious Clarence Prize. Established in 2007, The Clarence Prize is a biennial exhibition celebrating the best in innovative Australian furniture design and creation and is Australia’s largest acquisitive furniture design prize. An acquisitive prize of $20,000 is awarded to the winner as selected by the judging panel, this year consisting of Ashley Jameson Eriksmoen and Lucy Given of Luc Design fame, and the winning piece is acquired into the permanent Clarence Art Collection. The official opening and 2023 Clarence Prize Winner will be announced on Thursday 14 September 2023 at Rosny Farm and the exhibition will then be open to the public until Sunday 15 October 2023. More details can be found at www.clarenceartsandevents.net/clarence-prize.

MORE MOUNTAIN BIKE FUN AT MEEHAN RANGE

In more great news for mountain bikers, a new family-friendly flow track has opened at the Clarence Mountain Bike Park. Wright Way is a mini version of Flow Monster and provides 300m of flowy fun for beginner riders. You can access the new Wright Way track from the XC Climb above the concrete slab area, so grab your kids, bikes, and helmets and hit the dirt.

UTAS FRESHIE BAG EVOLVES INTO TUSA FOOD HUB

The Tasmanian University Student Association (TUSA) has opened the TUSA Food Hub to help students doing it tough by providing food relief. In the past they have offered food provisions through a Freshie Bag. Now they’ve launched the TUSA Food Hub as a free food pantry initiative and support service for UTAS students. The TUSA Food Hub accepts donations of fresh produce, canned groceries and commercially cooked and prepared meals. They also welcome anyone in the community who would like to volunteer a helping hand. The TUSA Food Hub is opposite the UTAS campus at 1 Churchill Avenue, Sandy Bay. To donate or help out head to www.facebook.com/tusafoodhub.

TOP HOBART CYCLIST BAGS A BIG WIN IN SCOTLAND

Tasmanians were setting the gold standard in sport during August with Tasmanian cyclist Felicity Wilson- Haffenden bagging first place at the Junior Women’s Time Trial at the UCI Road World Championships in Glasgow, Scotland. The 18-year-old Hobart athlete set the gold-winning time of 19 minutes 31 seconds along a 13.4km course to Stirling Castle which concluded with a one kilometre stretch of cobblestones. Congratulations, Felicity!

HANWHA DEFENCE PROJECT TO BOOST JOBS BOOM IN BURNIE

In big news for Burnie, mining equipment manufacturer Elphinstone is joining with Hanwha Defence Group to produce 129 Infantry Fighting Vehicles for the Australian Defence Force following a successful bid to be part of the Land 400 Phase 3 program. Elphinstone has operated in Burnie since 1975. The new infantry fighting vehicles will replace current Armoured Personnel Carriers that have been in service since the mid 1960s which are no longer able to counter modern day threats. Minister for Advanced Manufacturing and Defence Industries, Madeleine Ogilvie, said, “Hanwha’s decision to involve Tasmanian industry on these types of contracts is a clear demonstration that our advanced manufacturing capabilities and commitment to quality are being noticed and taken seriously.”

HEATING UP AT LEGACY PARK

Cold weather BBQs are now a thing with new heaters making it a bit more attractive to dine outdoors at Legacy Park, Queens Domain, Hobart. Installed last month the heaters are free to use daily from 9am-9pm and will keep picnic goers toasty and warm for two hours. Simply push the button that says ‘Heater’ and bask in the warmth while you cook up your snags on the BBQ.

LAUNCESTON NET ZERO CARBON BUILDING NEARING COMPLETION

The newest addition to Launceston’s city skyline, a $30 million timber tower designed by Australian and Denmarkbased architects Terroir in collaboration with Timber Design Studio, is only a few months off completion. It’s set to be the most sustainable building in Tasmania. The 5,500sqm wooden building will be the new headquarters for health insurer, St.LukesHealth, and has a target of reducing carbon by 40%, making it one of the first net zero carbon building projects in Australia. Terroir shared that the way the building has been constructed targets the removal of 7,665 tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere or around 2,141 cars driving 20,000km per year. One of the construction methods for the build utilises glulam (glued laminated timber), which is stronger than steel. It has also been designed so that the building and materials can be repurposed if ever the building needs to be demolished. The new eight storey headquarters is located on Cimitiere Street and is pegged for completion by the end of 2023.

SKILLED MIGRANTS FILL TASSIE SKILLS GAPS

With Tasmania currently experiencing a major shortage of skilled workers in the civil construction industry, a joint pilot program between Migrant Resource Centre Tasmania, the Civil Contractors Federation Tasmania and Master Builders Tasmania aims to help skilled migrants fill skills gaps in the construction industry. “The civil construction industry is crying out for workers with thousands of new people required across the sector and migrants represent a large pool of untapped talent,” Civil Contractors Federation Tasmania CEO Andrew Winch said, adding that the pilot program had been a great success and he hopes to soon see participants working in the field. As part of the program, skilled migrants completed the White Card course, which is a mandatory requirement for anyone who wants to work in the construction industry. “Migrants who want to establish themselves professionally in Tasmania and secure a pathway to permanent residency can be unemployed for too long, or underemployed too often,” said Sally Thompson, Executive Manager of Settlement Services at Migrant Resource Centre Tasmania.

THE BROOKER IS A BATTLEGROUND…ARE RIVER FERRIES THE PEACEMAKER?

It’s likely you’ve experienced the traffic after a crash on the Tasman Bridge – it not only affects the Eastern Shore and Southern Outlet, but can also cause chaos for the Brooker Highway. With the recent uptick in Metro Bus cancellations, a lack of parking around the city and the ongoing works on the Bridgwater Bridge causing regular bottlenecks, getting into the Hobart CBD for people living in the northern suburbs is becoming more challenging by the day. With the population north of the city booming with areas like Brighton being the fastest-growing municipality in Tasmania, the issue with traffic congestion is set to worsen. This is compounded by a lack of alternative public transport such as light rail and the Northern Suburbs being wedged between kunanyi/Mt Wellington and the Derwent River. A northern suburbs resident who travels to work on the Brooker Highway each day recently shared with us, “The morning and afternoon commute is a cross between chaos and mayhem!” he said. “The drag lane kings and queens, who think they have the right to a quicker trip than you, just add to the frustration.” With the traffic congestion issues in Hobart and the Brooker Highway chockers especially during peak, is it finally time for us to turn our eyes to the river and get serious about creating ferry infrastructure?

HOBART STUDENT SNAGS GOLD AT WORLD DWARF GAMES

A big congratulations to teen basketballer, Nayte Ackerley, who won gold with his team at the World Dwarf Games in Cologne, Germany last month. The St Virgil’s College student and now world champion, represented Tassie in basketball at the games, snagging four points in the 30-3 gold medal match, thrashing USA. St Virgil’s College Principal, Jon Franzin said, “Nayte is an outstanding young man and his achievements at the World Dwarf Games demonstrate his dedication and commitment, not only to basketball, but also to his studies and his broader engagement with the community. We are incredibly proud of his achievements and we recognise that he is an outstanding exemplar and role model to all in our College community.” Well done, Nayte!

FASHION FEST TIME

From 5-9 September Tasmania celebrates local fashion with the second Tasmanian Fashion Festival (TFF). Taking place at various venues across Hobart and Launceston, the not-forprofit event was designed with the aim of putting local designers, creators, models and stylists on an equal stage as their interstate counterparts. We caught up with Tanya Ellis, President of the Tasmanian Fashion Festival and Fashion Stylist, to get the low down.

What can we expect from the festival this month? The 2023 Tasmanian Fashion Festival will offer something for everyone, from street wear to evening wear and everything in between. The three runways will feature collections from established and emerging designers in street wear, day wear, after five wear and bridal. The festival allows people to view the garments up close on the runway and then meet and speak with the designer at their booth. Attendees will have the opportunity to buy pieces on the day or speak with the designer about creating a one-off custom piece. If learning more about the industry is what interests you then there will be a number of workshops throughout the day.

Are all the models in the festival Tasmanian? All 21 models walking in the festival are Tasmanian based. Independent and agency models from across the state were invited to attend one of the two open castings that were held in Launceston and Hobart in July and the TFF runways will see a diverse group of talented Tasmanian models of all ages, identities, sizes, ethnicity, and orientation.

Where can we find more info about the festival? To find out more about the event or to purchase tickets visit www.tasmanianfashionfestival.com.au and follow us on Instagram @tasmanianfashionfestival.

KANGAROO BAY HOTEL PROJECT BOUNCES ALONG

While the Clarence City Council triggered a buy back clause in it’s deal related to the Kangaroo Bay Wharf site with developer Chambroad back in March, Chambroad has now lodged an application with the Minister for Planning seeking that a 4.5- star, 155 room hotel planned to be built at Kangaroo Bay be declared a “major project” under Tasmanian planning legislation. If declared a “major project” by the Minister, an independent panel assembled by the Tasmanian Planning Commission will be appointed to oversee the planning assessment. The process includes an thorough assessment of land use, heritage, Aboriginal heritage, environmental, threatened species and infrastructure requirements. During the assessment process there will be opportunity for public involvement through consultation and exhibition processes. Kangaroo Bay Hotel Project Director, Greg Hudson said, “Chambroad remains 100 percent committed to this hotel, and this application is the most practical way to advance the project given Clarence Council’s decision earlier this year.” Hudson adding, “At that time, 10 out of 12 Councillors voted against our project, and have started legal proceedings to try to buy the land back from us.” The final decision on the project is made by an expert and independent assessment panel appointed by the Tasmanian Planning Commission.

AN ARTISTIC RETELLING OF MITCHELL WOMEN’S HISTORY

Fancy yourself an art and history buff? A new exhibition by Tasmanian artist, Jane Giblin, might be up your alley. Showing at the Allport Library and Museum of Fine Arts, Giblin’s Dear Kate: the vision of the Mitchell women is an artistic retelling of the original drawings of the Mitchell sisters, Catherine and Sarah, who lived on Tasmania’s East Coast in the 1860s. Catherine Mitchell (known as Dear Kate) originally created hundreds of detailed pen, ink and wash drawings depicting the intricacies of their daily lives which her sister Sarah preserved in The Sarah Mitchell Scrapbook with hundreds of her own handwritten notes. Jane Giblin, a descendant of the extended Mitchell family, has used nineteenth-century lithography and watercolour techniques to recreate the drawings in her own art for the exhibition. “I learn about most things by drawing, and so I began copying little details from Kate’s works. I learnt about her vision and the quite unusual inclusion of herself in most of her works. My watercolours and lithographs in this show respond to some of the details I have enjoyed in Kate’s works over the past few years,” Giblin said. Dear Kate: the vision of the Mitchell women is a free exhibition and runs until 10 November.

SHRED THE PAVEMENT AT MONTROSE BAY SKATEPARK

The concrete is finally set and ready for sick tricks at the new Montrose Bay skatepark. The new skatepark, designed by CONVIC and constructed by Grind Projects, includes a street plaza layout and skate bowl for keen skaters, scooter rollers and BMXers of all ages to come and shred. The Montrose Bay skatepark was funded through state government grants, $250,000 from the Department of Communities and $250,000 from the Department of Health, along with a federal government grant of $120,000 from the Federal Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Grant Program. The skatepark has been in the making since 2020 with the location chosen for its proximity to the Montrose Bay playspace. Glenorchy Deputy Mayor, Sue Hickey said, “I am thrilled that Montrose Skatepark is now open to the public. This modern, dynamic facility will provide an exciting and modern new recreational space for our community, in close proximity to one of Glenorchy’s most loved parks. I’m sure this new addition to the Montrose Foreshore will be very popular– specifically with young people looking for active, engaging activities within our municipality.” The official launch will be on Saturday 16 September.

WERE YOU A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD IN A TASMANIAN PRIMARY SCHOOL IN 1968?

The Tasmanian Longitudinal Health Study (also known as TAHS) is calling on its original participants, and their offspring, to come forward for more tests on lung and airway capacity. Over 8,000 Tasmanian school children were recruited into the TAHS at seven years of age in 1968. For the last 55 years, the study has followed these children, periodically checking in via health questionnaires and lung function assessments. So far, the data collected has informed over 80 research articles and 140 conference presentations, influencing new scientific knowledge, clinical practice and Australian policy around respiratory health. The study now aims to perform thousands more lung function assessments on its original 1968 participants, and is also now calling on the children of the original participants to be part of the future generation of the study. If you, or anyone you know, was seven years old and attending a Tasmanian primary school in 1968, please get in touch with the TAHS team on 1800 110 711 or email inq-tas@unimelb.edu.au.

TASSIE CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE SHOCK STATS RELEASED

Australian child protection organisation, Bravehearts, is urging Australians to take a collective stance against child sexual abuse following shocking data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Figures recently released for Tasmania show a higher proportion of male victims – 85 per cent – were aged under 18 years at the date of sexual assault compared with 49 percent of female victims. Bravehearts CEO, Alison Geale is urging the community to unite, speak up and mobilise action to prevent this insidious and often underreported crime, as new data reveals more than 1 in 4 Australians have experienced sexual abuse, often more than once. “With an alarming 28.5 percent of Australians having experienced child sexual abuse, among those individuals, more than 3 in 4 (78%) experienced it more than once, we’re calling on Australians to band together and help protect our children,” said Mrs Geale. Over the past twenty-six years, Bravehearts has helped educate more than 1.3 million children across Australia about personal safety through Bravehearts’ Ditto’s Keep Safe Adventure Program, as well as crucial counselling and support services for children and families impacted by child sexual abuse. To learn more about Bravehearts and child sexual abuse prevention, visit www.bravehearts.org.au.

NEW PLAYGROUND OPENS AT ROYAL HOBART HOSPITAL

There’s a new playground for little ones at the Royal Hobart Hospital. Rotary Tasmania provided $82,000 for the project, which was completed thanks to $40,000 from the Tasmanian Community Fund. The playground includes a slide, tunnels and a boat. We hope it brings smiles to the faces of the young patients and families.

CRADLE COAST RECEIVES $100K BOOST TOWARD SUSTAINABILITY

The Cradle Coast Authority has been awarded $100,000 in the initial round of the Tasmania Department of Health’s Health Focus Grants. The grants aim to make Tasmania a healthier place to live by focusing on the mental health and well-being of communities, the impact of climate change on health, and supporting active living by making towns more walkable. Cradle Coast Authority regional planning coordinator, Jenny Donovan said, “We have put together this idea of using things like logs, boulders, indigenous vegetation and bringing them together to make compositions or mini-parks in high-profile locations where people will want to sit.” The project will run over the next two financial years, with the ‘pause places’ to be located in the Waratah-Wynyard area. This project will be a pilot study and if successful, will expand to other areas in the Cradle Coast region.

TASSIE FAMILIES NEED YOUR HAND-ME-DOWNS

Do you have spare baby and kids items you’re not using? Tassie Mums, a notfor- profit organisation that provides essential items for babies and children in need, are calling out for much-needed donations to fill the growing demand from families over the cooler months. We spoke with founder Clair Harris about what families need right now.

How can readers help? What are your current gaps? For the last four months, Tassie Mums has supported over 200 children statewide every month. Items can be new or excellent cleaned second-hand as we seek to reduce waste. We are always seeking practical everyday clothes like t-shirts, pants, trackies and jumpers for 4-5-year-olds as hand-me-downs are a little scarce due to the workout they get!

Gaps in our donations are becoming more challenging to fill for some of the most basic essential items; nappies, baby bottles, clothing for 4-5-year-olds, backpacks and infant toys. Nappy stress for newborns and preschool children is particularly noticeable, as are requests for bigger baby items like prams, cots and car seats which are essential for families. Cots and car seats continue to be items that are financially increasingly difficult for families to purchase and we continually seek community grants and financial donations via our website to support these programs. Tassie Mums sends out a cot a week at the moment to ensure little ones can have a safe place to sleep and almost as many car seats.

Are nappies a big thing for Tassie Mums? We work with The (amazing) Nappy Collective to do our best at meeting community needs, providing just over 1,000 packets of nappies to babies and children in need last year. We love to encourage supporters to add a packet to your weekly shop and support a family experiencing difficulties in Tasmania. What a benefit to a little one that can be, a clean, dry bottom!

What are the other ways the community can help Tassie Mums? Talking about us, spreading the word about what we do and who we help. Share our social media with friends and family and leave encouraging comments for our dedicated volunteers, hold a fundraiser at your school, workplace or club, visit our website and see how you can volunteer, and of course, jump online and make a cash donation. Every bit helps and we are incredibly thankful to be part of such a supportive generous community that’s helping us ensure Tassie kids have the basic essentials for their health and wellbeing.

Anyone wanting to help Tassie Mums provide essential items to Tassie families in need, head to www.tassiemums.org/donate-now.