NEW NEW NEW

Treat yourself to Vietnamese-brewed bubble tea and freshly made croffles while you shop at So Dear (Eastlands Shopping Centre, Ground Floor, Rosny Park), in between JB Hi-Fi and Penny’s Bakery. After opening their wine bar and cellar door last year, Caledon Estate (332 Prossers Road, Richmond) have added food to their offering. They’ve teamed up with chef Paul Foreman – known for Gondwana, Great Lake Hotel, and Franklin Wharf – who will be cooking on weekends focusing on local producers and seasonal fare. Those in or passing through the Huon Valley can warm up their mornings with the new drive-thru coffee container Goodwill Coffee (2064 Huon Highway, Grove), next to Willie Smith’s Apple Shed. $1 from every coffee and jaffle or coffee and hashbrown combo sold will be donated to a different local organisation every month.

A new takeaway sandwich shop has arrived in Launceston. Another Wild Thyme (97 York Street, Launceston) is a not-for-profit training cafe with the aim of helping people grow their skills and experience, all while serving affordable fast meals like sandwiches, pies, jacket potatoes, and more. Hobart’s got a new American-style convenience store in Hobart Quick Mart (Shop 1/66 Murray Street, Hobart), next to Hudsons Coffee. Not to be confused with Kwik-E-Mart from The Simpsons. Imagine a place that sells pre-loved clothes where you can contribute to the circular economy… but for babies and little kids. That place exists now, and it’s Watermelon Sundays (81 Bathurst Street, Hobart). Here’s a fun challenge: try not to say ‘awww’ when looking through their selection of tiny second-hand clothes. Australian jewellery brand HARLI + HARPA (Lower Ground Level Cat & Fiddle Arcade, Hobart) has arrived in Hobart. They create unique and accessible keepsakes to style, stack, and adorn yourself with. Lounge and Blade (441 Main Road, Glenorchy) is a new spot in Glenorchy offering haircuts, good conversation, and a laid-back vibe. At the moment, they’re walk-in only, with plans to expand into facial grooming and a dedicated retail space for handcrafted leather goods. From 16 June to 27 July 2025, MyState Bank Arena will turn into a winter wonderland with SHIVER (601 Brooker Highway, Glenorchy), a professionally built, 30-metre ice rink bringing ice skating back to Tassie for the first time since the Glenorchy rink closed in 2022. It’s set to be a community hub, with daily public sessions, private hire, group bookings and birthday party packages for the kids. And when the sun goes down on Friday and Saturday nights, that’s when SHIVER After Dark comes out, a series of 18+ themed nights featuring DJs like Alex Curtain and Kombi Krew, disco lights, tasty eats and drinks – all while you’re gliding around on skates.

MORE WILDLIFE CORRIDORS ON THE WAY FOR HOBART Hobart is about to get a little greener, thanks to a community tree-planting project receiving support through the extended 2024 Bupa Landcare Grants Program. The funding boost is backing grassroots initiatives around the country that support the environment and bring communities together. In Hobart, one local project has just secured extra funding. Landcare Tasmania will use the grant to expand wildlife corridors for bandicoots, native birds, and other local species. These corridors are stretches of native vegetation that link fragmented habitats and help wildlife move safely between areas. Volunteers will get involved through community events focused on planting, weeding, and watering native species.

TRY A FREE E-BIKE AT NEW HOBART BIKE LIBRARY Hobart’s free e-bike library is expanding already. The new program, launched in May, allows you to borrow an electric bicycle for two weeks, free of charge, to see if it might suit you and your lifestyle before you commit to an e-bike. Bookings filled up very quickly, with almost all of the initial fleet booked out until the end of 2026 already. The City of Hobart is adding six more bikes, including a folding e-bike that is a bit easier to store and carry. If you’ve already made a booking and are facing a long wait, don’t worry – you’ll get first dibs to book one of the new bikes when they go live.

BATTERY POINT’S HISTORIC GEM OPEN AGAIN A fascinating historic site in Battery Point has reopened to the public. The Semaphore Cottage in Princes Park, which dates back to 1818 and played a vital role in Tasmania’s early semaphore telegraph system, is now open as an interpretive centre. It’s the oldest surviving building in Battery Point. Originally constructed as the guardhouse for Hobart’s first defensive fortification, it later served as the headquarters of Tasmania’s semaphore telegraph system, which linked Hobart to Port Arthur. At its peak, this system could relay messages across a 54 kilometre chain of stations within minutes, making it one of the most advanced communication networks of its time. In the 1930s, the site was saved from demolition by the Shiplovers’ Society of Tasmania. Now, Maritime Museum Tasmania has brought life back to The Semaphore Cottage with contemporary interpretation and historic artefacts. “The Semaphore Cottage is a small building with a big story,” said Chris Tassell, President of Maritime Museum Tasmania. “Reopening the cottage to the public allows us to reconnect with a time when ingenuity and urgency shaped the way people communicated across great distances. We’re proud to share this important part of Tasmania’s history with new audiences.” The Semaphore Cottage is now open for regularly scheduled tours.

WARNING: DON’T EAT WILD SHELLFISH FROM BOOMER BAY OR MERCURY PASSAGE The Department of Health is warning people not to eat wild-harvested shellfish from Boomer Bay in the south east and Mercury Passage on the east coast, due to elevated levels of toxic algae found in shellfish from those areas. People are advised not to eat wild-harvested mussels, oysters, clams, pipis, cockles, wedge shells, abalone, or scallop roe from these regions. Affected areas in Boomer Bay include Boomer Bay itself, Little Boomer Bay and Boomer Bay East, to the east of Dunalley. In Mercury Passage, the affected waters are north of Lachlan Island, south of the line between Lords Bluff and Ile du Nord, and east of Spring Beach. The warning for Boomer Bay was issued on 8 May, and the Mercury Passage alert followed on 16 May. At the time of print, both warnings are still in place. Symptoms of shellfish poisoning can appear within minutes to hours after eating affected shellfish, and cooking or freezing them won’t destroy the toxins. Symptoms may include tingling or numbness, weakness, blurred vision, trouble breathing, vomiting, or diarrhoea. If you notice any of these signs after eating wild shellfish, call 000 or head to your nearest emergency department. Importantly, seafood sold in shops and served in restaurants is safe to eat. Commercial shellfish are closely monitored by the Tasmanian Shellfish Market Access Program (ShellMAP) to ensure they’re safe for consumption. For the latest updates, visit www.health.tas.gov.au/news/health-alerts/wild-shellfish-health-alerts.

WYNYARD GIRLS WIN BIG IN USA The Wynyard Wildcatz cheerleading team from Tasmania’s north west have been crowned division champions at a global competition in Orlando, Florida. The team of 12 girls, aged between six and 12, wowed the judges, taking out the top spot in the Youth Novice division at Nfinity’s FINALS cheerleading competition, an international event that draws teams from all over the world. The Wynyard Wildcatz earned their place at the Orlando event after winning their division at the Tasmanian State Championships in Kingston back in August last year. Until now, they had never competed outside Tasmania. This incredible dream-come-true moment was made possible through the team’s fundraising efforts, which included local events in Wynyard like bingo nights to help cover travel costs to the US. Well done girls!

THERE’S MOFO, BUT WHAT ABOUT NOFO? Throughout the month of June it’s hard to find events that aren’t related to Dark MOFO. If that’s something you’re interested in, there’s a Facebook group for that. It’s called NoFo – Non Festival Affiliated Events & Offers During Dark Mofo, and becomes active this time of year. You’ll find out about interesting non-MOFO events, such as Readings After Dark, in which a group of readers/diviners/seers will be present for four nights at T-Bone Brewing Co in North Hobart (6, 7, 13, and 14 June).

50 BLOOMIN’ YEARS Camellias were introduced to Australia in 1823 and have been grown in Tasmania since the 1830s. The Camellia Society Tasmania, which tends the camellias at Narryna – The Merchant’s House at Battery Point, is about to celebrate a major milestone. On 11 July, members past and present will gather for a morning tea reception at Government House, itself home to an impressive collection of camellias, to mark the Society’s 50th anniversary. Since its founding in 1975, the Camellia Society Tasmania has built a strong community of enthusiasts who meet regularly to share knowledge, display their beautiful blooms, and promote camellia cultivation across the state. For more information or upcoming events, contact Membership Officer Bernard Pryor OAM at irishaven@pip.com.au.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS HIT HOBART FOR HOMESTAYS Each year, Tasmanian high schools and colleges welcome hundreds of international students, and the Tasmanian Government Education International team provides approved homestay accommodation for many of them. Homestay hosts can be individuals, families, or empty nesters, and placements are flexible to suit your lifestyle. Hosting a student can be a rewarding experience as you’ll gain insight into another culture and form lasting connections. From July, over 70 students from Brazil will arrive in Tassie, and more homestay hosts are needed for placements of six to 12 months. All you need is a welcoming spirit and a spare room. Hosts receive 24/7 support and a fortnightly allowance of $660. Recently, students and their host families enjoyed a wood-fired pizza party at Legacy Park in Hobart, helping to create lasting memories. To learn more or apply, visit: www.study.tas.gov.au/live/host-a-student.

SAIL AWAY: WORLD’S LARGEST BATTERY ELECTRIC SHIP MADE IN HOBART Ferry manufacturer, Incat Tasmania, has launched the world’s largest battery-electric ship, called Hull 096. The ship marks a big step forward for sustainable shipping as it will operate entirely on battery-electric power, as opposed to oil and diesel. At 130 metres in length, Hull 096 is not only the largest electric ship in the world, but also the largest electric vehicle of its kind ever built. It was constructed for South American ferry operator Buquebus and will service between Buenos Aires and Uruguay. “This is a historic day – not just for Incat, but for the future of maritime transport,” said Incat chairman Robert Clifford. “We’ve been building world-leading vessels here in Tasmania for more than four decades, and Hull 096 is the most ambitious, most complex, and most important project we’ve ever delivered. This ship changes the game.”

UK ENVIRONMENT GROUP FILMS DEFORMED SALMON IN TASSIE PENS Video footage claiming to show deformed farmed salmon in Tasmania’s Macquarie Harbour was recently released by UK environmental charity, the Green Britain Foundation (GBF). The group says the footage was captured during an extensive underwater investigation by its research team, in which cameras were placed inside the fish farms in early April 2025. According to the GBF, the footage raises serious concerns for the survival of the critically endangered Maugean skate, a species found nowhere else in the world, due to the harbour’s deteriorating water quality. In the video, several salmon appear to be visibly bent and deformed, affecting their ability to swim. The exact cause of the deformities hasn’t been confirmed, but the Bob Brown Foundation believes the fish are likely chromosome-modified ‘triploid’ salmon, selectively bred to grow fast.

A spokesperson from Salmon Tasmania told us they’re aware of the footage. “We cannot verify how or where this footage was obtained and are concerned about the potential safety, biosecurity, and legal breaches involved in unauthorised access to aquaculture sites.” While not responding to our question of how many fish are affected by deformities, they acknowledged there are deformed fish in the pens. “Physical irregularities can and do occur in all animals. These cases are rare and represent a very small proportion of the stock. Any affected fish are identified through routine monitoring and are managed in accordance with animal welfare and food quality standards.”

But what brought a UK group to Tasmania in the first place? GBF was founded in 2012 by philanthropist and environmentalist Dale Vince. Their interest in Tassie stems from similar issues in Scotland. While Tassal is an Australian company, its parent is Canadian seafood giant Cooke, which also runs salmon farms along the Scottish coast. “The industry has successfully concealed these impacts from the Australian public, just as they attempt to do in Scottish waters,” Mr Vince said. GBF says its investigations in Tasmania will continue. The group is calling for reforms, including independent monitoring of salmon farming’s impact on harbour water quality, the creation of sanctuary zones, health checks on wild marine life near salmon farms, and full public reporting of disease outbreaks and chemical use at the farms.

BEGONE, SOFT PLASTICS! The City of Hobart will trial a new soft plastics collection point at the McRobies Gully Waste Management Centre. They’ve teamed up with RecycleSmart for this 12-month trial, the same company that Clarence City Council are working with, in the hopes of getting more people recycling soft plastics. Once collected, the plastic will be transposed interstate to be turned back into new projects or asphalt additives. Soft plastics are any plastics you can scrunch into a ball, so that includes biscuit packaging, bread bags, bubble wrap, cereal box liners, chocolate wrappers, cling wrap, document sleeves, fresh produce bags, frozen food bags, pasta/ noodle packets, plastic film, plastic sachets, post satchels, rice bags, silver lined chip bags, squeeze pouches, plastic bags, snaplock bags, and reusable shopping bags. Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said this initiative is a crucial step forward towards reducing waste. “Our recent waste audit revealed that 6% of material found in the red-lid general waste bin is soft plastics suitable for recycling,” she said. “This trial is exclusively for residential soft plastics and will be offered at no cost to the community.” You’ll be able to recycle soft plastics at the collection point at McRobies Gully, or “The Tip”, in South Hobart. Soft plastics should be rinsed clean with all labels and staples removed and they can be placed in a clear plastic bag or loose in the collection bin.

CRAFTING FOR CANCER Hobart gift store Lily&Dot recently reached out to the community asking people to knit or crochet a facecloth to be donated to the SHE Gynaecological Cancer Group. Their target was 80 facecloths. They received over 225, from all over Australia. “It was wonderful to see both new and experienced crocheters and knitters work their magic — mothers and daughters, workmates, craft clubs and solo stitchers alike,” shared owner of Lily&Dot, Katinka Dineen. The facecloths will be distributed throughout Tasmanian hospitals and cancer centres as part of care packs that may bring a little comfort to patients who have just been diagnosed.

A READER’S PIC BY ANGELICA GRAHAM “My name is Angelica, a student at St Aloysius and I am an aspiring photographer and wish to share this photo (taken in the Huon Valley) with all the esteemed readers of The Hobart / Launceston Magazine. This perfectly captures the stillness of the cooler months further down south using blue hues and the reflection of the river.” Thanks for sharing your work Angelica!

TASMANIAN FIRST NATIONS DRAMA COMING TO SBS Between Alone Australia, The Survivors, and Bay of Fires, Tassie-made TV is really having a moment, and that continues with Moonbird, a local production hitting SBS On Demand and NITV from Thursday 19 June. Moonbird tells the story of a recently-sober dad (Kyle Morrison) and his son (Lennox Monaghan; Deadloch, Windcatcher) as they try to reconnect during the traditional muttonbirding season on a remote island off Tasmania. The series, which is six short episodes about 10 minutes each, was created by Trawlwoolway man Nathan Maynard and Pakana man Adam Thompson. They’re muttonbirders themselves, and their own experiences taking their kids out to Big Dog Island each year give the show authenticity and depth. It’s one of three new series selected for SBS’s Digital Originals initiative, which backs emerging talent from under-represented groups. You can watch the program here.

HOBART WALK AGAINST ELDER ABUSE – JOIN THE MOVEMENT On Monday, 16 June, community members are invited to take part in the Lifelong Respect – Walk Against Elder Abuse in Hobart. The event aims to raise awareness as part of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (15 June) and highlight the importance of respect and protection for older Tasmanians. Following the 30 minute walk, attendees are invited to stay for speeches and a light morning tea at St.Luke’s. The event is free and organised by COTA Tasmania. Register to participate via Humanitix.

PAW-SITIVE NEWS FOR BURNIE CATS Not-for-profit animal shelter Just Cats Tasmania has been awarded $424,600 to develop a new cat management facility in Burnie. Cat management facilities offer services including accepting surrendered, unwanted or stray cats, reuniting lost cats with their owners and organising adoptions of cats and kittens. They also provide vet services such as desexing, microchipping, vaccinations and euthanasia of cats, cat boarding facilities and promote responsible cat ownership through education, training and support. Minister for Primary Industries and Water, Jane Howlett, said this funding should also help local wildlife. “Management facilities like these are a key community resource to support and encourage the management of unwanted and stray cats, which can pose a threat to native wildlife,” she said.

SOUTH HOBART PLAYGROUND PETITION PAYS OFF A neighbourhood petition by the Cascades Playground Collective, calling for a new playground in Hobart, has paid off. Work has commenced on two vacant, council- owned blocks of land on Saunders Crescent in South Hobart, with completion expected by mid-winter. The project was initiated by local residents who identified a shortage of play spaces for young families in the area. One of the driving forces behind the campaign was Emma Green, who helped present the petition to Hobart City Council in 2022. Now that construction is underway, Emma recently had the chance to visit the site with her family. The new playground will include a picnic shelter, bike track, rock climbing wall, swings, a rocker, and a climbing frame.

SOUTHERN TASMANIA STARS IN NETFLIX’S THE SURVIVORS Netflix has announced a 6 June premiere date for The Survivors, a six-part mystery series filmed in Tasmania. A trailer offered a glimpse of how our rugged coastline was captured for the screen. Based on Jane Harper’s bestselling novel of the same name, the series follows Kieran Elliott, whose life was forever changed when two people drowned and a young girl vanished in his coastal hometown of Evelyn Bay. Fifteen years later, Kieran returns with his family, only to find that long-buried guilt begins to resurface. Supported by Screen Tasmania, the production was filmed in several southern Tasmanian locations, including Kingston, Margate and Tinderbox, the show lands on Netflix on 6 June.

MORE THAN 50 TASSIE FOOD RELIEF GROUPS TO GET BOOST More than 50 community organisations will benefit from a grant that will increase their capacity to provide food relief. The Tasmanian Community Food Relief Grants Program 2025 is distributing almost $490,000 to local food relief providers across Tassie. Some of the recipients include:

• Tasmania University Union received $10,000 to help establish food hubs to support students at Launceston, Hobart and Burnie campuses.

• East Devonport Neighbourhood House received $9,600 to provide an extra 2,205 meals to people and families in their local community.

• Deloraine House received $10,000 to deliver free meal kits in the Meander Valley that contain ingredients, a recipe card and instructions on how to make a nutritious meal.

• Oatlands Community Association received $7,732 to support a non-stigmatising community pantry where people can pack their own hampers with dignity and respect.

ONE MILLION CONTAINERS RETURNED IN FOUR DAYS Tasmania’s new Recycle Rewards container deposit scheme is off to a crazy good start as it just took four days to reach more than one million containers returned. The scheme helps ensure litter is properly recycled, keeping it out of landfill and our environment, where it can pose a threat to wildlife. People can choose to receive a 10 cent refund for every eligible container they return, or donate the proceeds to one of over 120 registered donation partners. As of early May, the top three donation recipients were Tassie Mums, Landcare Tasmania, and the Burnie Men’s Shed. Aluminium containers have been the most commonly returned (62%), followed by plastic (25%), glass (12%), and liquid paperboard (1%). There are currently 40 refund points operating across Tasmania, with another nine set to open by the end of August 2025. To find out more, visit www.recyclerewards.com.au.

TASSIE MUSICIAN RELEASES NEW MUSIC FROM OLD CHURCH Prolific local songwriter, and past feature person in this mag, Christopher Coleman released his fifth album, Live at The Chapel, in April. It was recorded with the newly-formed Soft Knees Band in an abandoned sandstone church in Austin’s Ferry, where they captured ten songs in one single session last November. “This album maybe taps into something bigger,” Coleman says. “We wanted to put our hands up for change, to add a few more broken but beating hearts to the side of trying.” All proceeds from Live at The Chapel will be donated to Olive Kids, an organisation dedicated to improving the lives of Palestinian children who have been displaced.

VOUCHER PROGRAM LAUNCHES TO BOOST TOURISM Well, Tassie, it’s time to enter the ballot. The state is launching a $10 million voucher program this winter to help breathe life into the state’s hospitality and tourism sectors during the traditionally quieter months. Called the ‘Eat Local, Stay Local’ initiative, 100,000 vouchers valued at $100 each will be offered to Tasmanians via a ballot, which opens on 2 June and runs for two weeks. Successful recipients will be randomly selected at the end of June and will have until the end of October to redeem their voucher. Vouchers can be used towards accommodation, dining, or tourism experiences across the state, although the full list of participating businesses is yet to be confirmed. For more information, visit: www.stategrowth.tas.gov.au/eatlocalstaylocal.

HOSPITAL UPGRADE OPENS IN LATROBE The huge $45 million upgrade of Mersey Community Hospital in Latrobe is now finished. Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the hospital is a key part of healthcare in the north west, and these upgrades mean it can now offer more services to better meet the needs of the community. The redevelopment includes a brand new Elective Day Surgery Centre, which boosts the hospital’s capacity to deliver more surgical and endoscopy procedures. There are also 13 new consulting rooms, six specialist treatment rooms, five paediatric rooms, a new waiting area, plus a fresh audiology service and physiotherapy gym, all designed to give locals better access to care, closer to home.

TASSIE TOON COMING SOON A new animated comedy series made by Tasmanians, After All, is set to launch later this year. Created by the team at Turbo Chook, a Hobart-based production company, the show is written, directed and produced by local talent Jess Murray. After All follows the adventures of mutant filmmakers Flynn and Marshall as they emerge from their bunker on a mission to create “the best movie ever made.” Along the way, they discover that friendship matters more than fame. The series features the voice talents of Zach Ruane and Luke McGregor, and will premiere on YouTube later this year. Keep an eye on the Turbo Chook YouTube channel for updates.

BEST IN BEEF AND LAMB Tasmania can lay claim to producing the best beef and lamb in the country, according to the Royal Queensland Awards (formerly the Royal Queensland Food & Wine Show), a celebration of Australia’s top-quality produce and the people behind it. From a total of 540 entries, the awards crowned the nation’s best in beef, lamb, cheese, dairy, ice cream, gelato and sorbet, with winners announced at Brisbane Showgrounds. Tasmania took out two top honours: Best Steak went to Paradigm Foods’ ICON XB Wagyu, sourced from a Tasmanian herd, while Best Lamb was awarded to Royal Wholesale Meats’ Tasmanian Royal.

BONORONG QUOLL ORDEAL An Eastern Quoll has been through quite the ordeal, nearly drowning in a garlic oil drum at a local cheese factory! As Bonorong staff explained, “presumably intrigued by the garlicky aroma, Scroll had squeezed himself into the oil drum and fallen in! Once he had fallen in, he was unable to climb out, and quickly became saturated in oil.” Luckily he was quickly rescued and transported to Bonorong’s Wildlife Hospital where he was assessed and given his foodie name. Turns out he’d inhaled and ingested some of the oil and developed aspiration pneumonia. He had multiple baths under anaesthetic to remove the slimy oil residue from his fur then spent six weeks in Bonorong’s care. He’s now returned to good health and been released into the wild, presumably far away from the cheese factory!

SPIRIT OF TAS BERTHING BIRTH BROUGHT FORWARD The completion date for the troubled new berth in Devonport (you know, the one that wasn’t ready for our brand new shiny Spirit vessels…) has been brought forward to October 2026 – a whole summer earlier than initially expected/feared. Buuuut it’s also had a cost blowout to the tune of $120 million. The new infrastructure should be ready to welcome the new Spirit of Tasmania ships in time for the 2026/27 peak summer season. At the time of print, Spirit of Tasmania IV (the one that’s been having a lovely Scottish holiday) was expected to have departed Leith for an approximately 36 day voyage that should bring her to Hobart in mid July, where a final fit out will be completed.

HOBART’S LONGEST SLIDE Weeeeee! Hobart’s longest slide, nicknamed The Green Machine, is officially open for fun in Parliament Street Reserve, Sandy Bay. Replacing a former favourite slide that was removed for safety reasons, The Green Machine is a 15 metre snakey tunnel slide. It’s surrounded by soft fall areas, some large dolerite rock work, new gardens, a picnic table and new gravel paths.

NEW BRIDGE FOR GORGE The Alexandra Suspension Bridge in the Cataract Gorge Reserve, Launceston has reopened following major refurbishment to restore the landmark to its full glory. Originally opened on 29 November 1904, the 60-metre suspension bridge was destroyed by floods in 1929 floods and later rebuilt. The latest refurbishment has seen every component of the bridge either replaced or reworked, effectively making it entirely new. Visitors can now once again cross the bridge to explore Cataract Gorge, in addition to alternative routes via the Gorge Scenic Chairlift, First Basin causeway, and Kings Bridge.

EV EXPANSION FOR TASSIE 11 new public charging stations for electric vehicles are being installed across Tasmania. Transport is Tasmania’s second- highest emitting sector, responsible for 22% of the state’s total greenhouse gas emissions.

CONNECTING HOBART’S BUSHLAND Four kilometres of new tracks have opened behind Knocklofty Reserve in West Hobart, giving more options to explore Hobart’s bushland. The new trails connects Knocklofty to the foothills of Kunanyi/Mt Wellington and were made with mountain bike riders, walkers, and trail runners in mind. Among the shareuse tracks, there’s a mountain bike only track at the top of Main Fire Trail called the Swing Set Track, featuring jumps, rock gardens and drops.

BYE BYE BLUE HEELER The eye-catching murals through the Tony Haigh Walk in North Hobart that have been there since 2001 have been removed. Painted by local artist Peter Gouldthorpe, these trompe l’oeil artworks featured a flower-filled window, a curious blue heeler and a white picket fence woven with shrubbery. According to the City of Hobart, the mural on the southern wall of the alleyway (closest to the CBD) had deteriorated beyond repair, the reasoning behind the removal. To honour the mural, the City says they will look to install permanent signage featuring photos of the artwork in its original state. The northern mural featuring a bakery and a rooster on a mailbox remains in good condition and will stay in place.

HAVE YOUR SAY ON BUS NETWORK The Department of State Growth is undertaking a review of the Greater Hobart bus network to deliver improved bus routes and timetables. The review will cover areas such as New Norfolk, Sorell and Southern Beaches, Richmond, Campania and the Huon Valley. As part of this review they’re asking for feedback from the community to learn what is working and what needs improving. Both bus users and non-bus users are encouraged to take part. Comments are now open and will close after 20 June. Have your say at www.engage.stategrowth.tas.gov.au/bus-network.

DEFIBS DELIVERED TO MORE SITES 90 life-saving defibrillators have been provided to community groups and businesses across Tasmania, with a focus on rural and regional areas. When someone experiences a cardiac arrest, their chance of survival drops by nearly 10% with each passing minute, so having access to a defib can mean the difference between life and death. Defibs have been distributed to a range of locations, including community centres, sports clubs, shops and cafes in towns such as Nabowla, Southport, Rosebery, Binalong Bay and more. Once installed, the devices can be located using the GoodSAM Responder app, which helps coordinate cardiac arrest responses by alerting registered responders nearby and showing the locations of patients and the nearest defibrillators.

NEW DEVONPORT TRAIL LINKS PAST AND PRESENT A 2.2 kilometre pathway called the Spreyton Connector has opened in Devonport. It links Horsehead Creek to Maidstone Park along the Mersey River, creating new opportunities for walking and riding. There are storytelling features along the trail that celebrate the area’s history and community, from Indigenous heritage and European arrival to wartime contributions. Local clubs, businesses, schools, and residents, particularly students and teachers from Spreyton Primary School, have contributed stories, ideas, and feedback to the trail.

LAUNCESTON IS TIDIEST TOWN Launceston has been named the country’s tidiest town at the 2025 Keep Australia Beautiful Tidy Towns Awards. The awards were presented in Beechworth, Victoria, where Launnie faced off against five other Australian towns vying for the 2025 title. This comes after they took home the Tasmanian Keep Australia Beautiful Awards last November. City of Launceston Mayor Matthew Garwood said scoring the 2025 national award was a huge honour for Launceston, and named some of the projects that made it possible. “The awards recognised innovative projects like Spring Clean Rocherlea, the Launceston Repair Cafe, our circular economy initiatives and a number of community events,” he said. As is tradition, it will now fall to Launceston to host the 2026 Keep Australia Beautiful Award.

ADHD SERVICE EXPANDS A new specialist service for kids and young people who might have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is being expanded to keep up with growing demand and help families get support sooner. The service, which started up in southern Tassie in April, is now being rolled out across the state. More GPs and paediatricians are being brought on board, so more children can be seen. Eligible children and young people with suspected ADHD are being drawn from the paediatric waitlist for assessments and treatment, with planning underway to expand the model statewide.

TASMANIAN TASERS Select frontline Tasmanian police officers will trial using tasers for twelve months, starting on 1 July this year. Up to 50 officers will be specially trained to carry and potentially use the tasers in both city and regional areas. The Tasmanian Government’s 2025-26 budget includes funding for the taser trial plus the permanent rollout of metal detection wands across the state as well as body worn cameras and protection vests.