Hobart Happenings May/June 2019

by Hobart Magazine

WE’RE TURNING ONE

This issue marks a full year of mag production for us and we’ve loved every minute. We’d like to thank each and every reader for taking a chance and picking us up. And to our advertisers, thank you for supporting us and showing that you care about giving the people of Hobart something independent, informative and hopefully fun to read. Here’s to the next year!

SONNY NEW DAY FOR TEMPLO

Matt Breen and Chris Chapple from Templo are opening a new bar, Sonny, on Elizabeth Street in the site that once was Can Bar. Promising a little bit of food and a little bit of wine, the tiny space will be low key with simple furniture and fitout. The food is even more simple with only a small hotplate and a salamander on hand – it will be the kind of place you pop into for a snack and a glass of wine. But if Templo is anything to go by, you’ll be eating all the snacks and not needing any dinner anyway! Set to open mid May.

MAKING SWEET MUSIC

Hobart singer-songwriter Christopher Coleman (you might remember reading about him in our first issue) has formed an eight-piece supergroup featuring members of Augie March and The Drones to record his third album, The Great Tasmanian Escape. The band is launching their debut single, Jesse, at the Hobart Brewing Co. on 17 May at 8pm. The album was recorded in at Melbourne’s Sing Sing studios, produced by Glenn Richards (Augie March) and made possible through the patronage of Kirsha Kaechele of Mona. You can buy tickets at www.christophercolemanmusic.com

MAYOR IN THE CHAIR

Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds is about to start a series of “Mayor in the Chair” sessions. From 10 May, the sessions in the Henry Hunter Reading Room at Town Hall are an opportunity for members of the community to raise something with the mayor or ask a question without making a specific appointment. The first dates are Friday 10 May, 1 – 2pm, Thursday 23 May, 1 – 2pm, Saturday 1 June, 1am – 12 noon and Saturday 15 June, 11am – 12 noon.

ELECTRIC CARS SPARKING INTEREST

It’s interesting to see that at a national level the Liberal Party seems to be resisting electric cars but the Tasmanian Liberal Party is spending $450,000 in grants to support the installation of electric vehicle chargers. Is it because the state party are awake to electric cars being the future of motoring and don’t want to scare away mainlanders who travel here with their Teslas and co, and need to charge up? Whatever the motivation, it’s good progress for our state.

TASSIE TELSTRA BUSINESS WOMEN’S AWARD

The business community got together recently to recognise the achievements of some fantastic Tasmanian women at the annual Tasmanian Telstra Business Women’s Awards. Lucy O’Flaherty, the Chief Executive Officer of Glenview Community Services, is the 2019 Telstra Tasmanian Business Woman of the Year and the Small Business Award went to Lucy Given, Owner and Creative Director of LUC Homewares and Design. Last issue we chatted with Trisha Squires, the Chief Executive Officer of AFL Tasmania and she took out the Medium & Large Business Award. And in the Public Sector & Academia Award category Dr Katrena Stephenson, Chief Executive Officer, Local Government Association of Tasmania took the top honours.

HENRY HUNTER READING ROOM OPENS TO THE PUBLIC

Did you know there’s a reading room at Town Hall that’s now open to the public? The Lord Mayor’s wing at Town Hall has three large rooms that traditionally have been used for meetings behind closed doors. Current Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds has decided she only needs one space to work in and has opened up the other two rooms for all Hobartians to enjoy. The Henry Hunter Reading room features notable artworks by Tasmanian artists, lots of comfortable chairs and a meeting table. The boardroom, with a large table for about ten people, can been booked by local community groups to use for special meetings. Pop in to read the newspapers, do some homework, feed your baby or just take a moment on a busy day in the city.

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Extras

Hobart Happenings

by Steph Williams

Bits and Pieces- June 2026

Hobart Happenings

by Steph Williams

Bits and Pieces – May 2026

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Worker shortage is currently universal, there isn’t an industry that’s exempt. For Kelvin Smith, four years ago he decided there was a very obvious solution to the shortage facing the construction industry, and all that was needed was a little time, empathy and a helping hand. Integrate Workforce is a Hobart-based labour company with one requirement: a refugee/ migrant background. He’s also the outdoor piano man in his free time.

Landscape artist and creative Elliott Nimmo is enjoying discovering Hobart’s vibrant art scene and local environment after relocating here from London to pursue his art.

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

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

A Holyman flagged ship hasn’t steamed up the River Derwent since 1984 but the company’s name still proudly adorns its former offices at 5 Morrison Street, Hobart.

Widening the Tasman Bridge to allow 3.5 metres on each side is a big win for walkers and cyclists.

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

Rain, hail and shine, the school crossing guards are always there to help with a smile on their face.

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

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