The Hobart/Launceston Magazine July 2026

KETTLEBELL ATHLETES RETURN AS WORLD CHAMPIONS

Tucked away in a peaceful bushland pocket, this two bedroom villa offers an easy lock‑up and leave lifestyle. Light filled open-plan living and dining flows to a well-appointed kitchen, with large windows capturing leafy reserve views.

Both bedrooms include built ins and are serviced by a bathroom with separate bath and shower, plus a separate laundry. Downstairs offers a secure garage and storage. Set in a quiet complex of six, just minutes to Eastlands and the CBD.

WELCOME TO THE HOBART/LAUNCESTON MAGAZINE

July means school holidays and a deliciously slower part of winter. But it’s not a time to stay at home. We've rounded up four pages of What’s On across the state to keep the kids (and you) entertained these school holidays.

And once they're occupied, we've got some really engaging reads. We talk volcanoes and ancient ice ages with a Scottish-born volcanologist now in Tassie. We sit down with a humanitarian lawyer reuniting families separated by conflict

overseas. We catch up with a chess coach turning a "nerdy" pastime into a statewide obsession, and learn about an historic Tasmanian collection digitised for all.

Plenty to do, plenty to read. Enjoy the edition!

All the best,

Steph, James and The Hobart / Launceston Magazine team

Publisher Stephanie Williams editor@thehobartmagazine.com.au

Advertising advertise@thehobartmagazine.com.au 03 6295 3742

Cover image: Brand Tasmania

Inset image: Tristan Crane

This page: Aurora Australis Night Sky. Pic: Jordan Wilson

Publisher Information: While all care has been taken, some information may have changed since publication. The Hobart/Launceston Magazine regrets it can’t accept liabilities from errors or omissions contained in this magazine. The publisher reserves the right to refuse, withdraw or amend all advertisements without explanation. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is prohibited. The views expressed in articles and advertisements are not endorsed by the editor or publishers. We welcome any questions, feedback or submissions, email editor@thehobartmagazine.com.au, or drop us a line at PO Box 315, South Hobart, TAS, 7004.

The editorial partnership with Port Arthur Historic Site in this edition was undertaken on a commercial basis.

The Hobart/Launceston Magazine acknowledges the Tasmanian Aboriginal People as the Traditional Owners and ongoing custodians of Lutruwita/Tasmania. We pay our respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and to their Elders past, present and emerging. www.thehobartmagazine.com.au

JAMES BRIANT

As founder of Black Square Chess, James has taken the game from a handful of after school classes to over 200 schools across Tasmania.

Where did you grow up and where do you live now? I grew up in the bustling community of South Hobart but also spent half my time out at Penna near Sorell on our family farm. At the moment, I live in Howrah with my partner and my dog, Archie. Absolutely loving the close access to the beach and running tracks nearby.

What do you do for work? In 2021, I started Black Square Chess, a company that originally taught school children how to play chess. In the very beginning, I ran a few classes after school at some local schools. Midway through 2021, another few schools approached me to start and now we operate in over 200 schools across Tasmania. Lately, we have been building up Interschool tournaments, State Championships and encouraging adults to get involved, while working on more pathways and even National Championships.

How did you get into chess? When I was young, about five, my family friend taught me how to play and I wasn’t too bad. From there I was entered into regional tournaments, which lead to state championships, which leads to Aus Championships. From 15-25, I lost touch with chess, but came back after Sports Management Study and decided it was to be a passion.

Do you compete too? What has been your proudest moment while competing? I run about 70 tournaments a year around Tassie, so I don’t compete too much. I usually have one tournament a year where I play. The 2023 Tasmanian Open was a highlight, just fumbling the overall win by losing in the last round.

Why do you think chess has such enduring popularity across age groups? Chess is probably the most played game in the world, maybe second to soccer, actually. The combination of strategic

thinking, memory and outwitting your opponent is a drawcard. Something about controlling an army to defeating the op posing team has its perks. Chess is one of those things that you can learn as a fouryear-old and still play well into your 90s.

What is your favourite opening move?

My favourite opening is called the Scotch Game (which I try to teach all my students). It involves moving both E4 (Eric) and D4 (Derrick) into the middle to start off.

What advice would you give to young players? Come to some tournaments or chess clubs and give it a go! Through the internet, chess.com and LiChess, you can get extremely good very quickly and easily become better than friends and family. Duolingo also has chess, which my students have challenged me to get a 365 day streak, tonight is 316!!

What’s something you wish more people knew about what you do? Generally speaking, chess is pretty underground and receives criticism as being solely for nerdy characters. My main passion is to illuminate that chess is so great developmentally for any age and is a game that can be played lifelong. While it is fun, it can also be used as a tool for brain-training. We are starting to have the very athletic, football-types getting really into chess. Great to have people training both their bodies and mind symbiotically.

Who do you admire? There are lots of people out there I admire. People standing up against injustices and working for a better future. Stephen Bartlett, Bill Gates, for example. I really admire all the kids and parents who are brave enough to do what they want because they love it rather than just following the crowd, especially all of our little chess legends.

Favourite podcast or tv show? Right now, I am into The House of the Dragon and eagerly awaiting the new Harry Potter Series

What are you reading now? The Diary of a CEO at the moment!

What was your first job? I was lucky enough to be alright at tennis as a junior and found a job as a Tennis Coach in Year 8 for holiday and afterschool work.

What are your daily news/social media habits? Right now it is watching the SBS Recaps of the FIFA World Cup. ABC News gets a run and a little too much social media, but Pulse Tasmania does a great job.

Your favourite place for… Breakfast: Without a doubt, Ginger Brown.

Lunch: Normally racing between classes, a bit of Hokkaido Sushi.

Dinner: Jimmy Special (add chicken) from Cugini’s is unbeatable.

Dream holiday destination? Next year, my partner and I are getting married in Vanuatu, so I think I have to put that there. Everest Base Camp is a very close second.

Favourite Tasmanian secret? I really enjoy slowly ticking off the Abels and my favourite so far has been Mt Wedge down in the South West.

Parting words? Just how grateful I am to this chess community that we have built, with over 5000 families strong. I really get to enjoy each day and meet such great people with great stories.

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PATRICK O’CONNOR

Principal lawyer and CEO of the Tasmanian Refugee Legal Service, Patrick works to reunite families separated by conflict and supporting victim-survivors of family violence on temporary visas.

Where did you grow up and where do you live now? I grew up in Sassafras in the Dandenong rangers, about an hour and a half out of Melbourne and now live in Hobart.

What do you do for work? I work as the Principal Lawyer and CEO of the Tasmanian Refugee Legal Service (TRLS). The TRLS is a not-for-profit organisation established to provide free immigration-related legal services to refugees, migrants, asylum seekers and other humanitarian entrants in the Tasmanian community.

You completed a Churchill Fellowship focused on the positive impacts of family reunification. How does that play out in the daily work you do? Many of the clients we work with in Tasmania have been separated from family members overseas for many years, and they often talk to us of the joy of being able to reunite with family members in Tasmania, and the positive impact this has on their lives and the sense of belonging this brings to each family member and the connection to their new home. It can be very challenging to bring families together because of many legal and policy obstacles in place, however it is so rewarding when we are successful in family reunion cases, as we understand the impact the outcome has on our clients’ lives.

Is this a particularly busy time for you with ongoing conflicts happening around the world, or is the work fairly steady always? The work is always constant, however definitely does increase with conflicts around the world, and we are often the first place people call in Tasmania when a conflict breaks out and people have loved ones affected overseas, or they have a fear of persecution if they are forced to return to their home country.

You also have a family violence migration service supporting women on temporary visas impacted by family violence. Tell us about that. We set up a specific program for victim survivors of family violence, where the violence has impacted the victim survivors visa status. The program is a specialist service in the space of family violence and immigration law, providing hundreds of victim survivors with free legal advice and representation in Tasmania with regard to their migration status and future safety in Australia. The program has become a key part of the state's response to family violence for victims of family violence who are on temporary visas, from the CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) community. Prior to establishing the program there was no free legal service in Tasmania delivering immigration advice and representation to victim survivors of family violence on temporary visas. The service was established to address incidences of visa abuse, when the victim survivor’s temporary migrant status is used by a perpetrator to control or coerce them or their family member. For example, a person on a temporary partner visa may face deportation if they leave the relationship. Such visa abuse facilitates and enables family violence as it effectively traps the victim survivor within the relationship due to their uncertain visa status, the program is run by one of our great lawyers and it is key part of our service for the community.

What is one take away you would like our readers to know about the people you assist? The people we assist love Tasmania, and contribute so much to our community. Many of our clients face insurmountable odds just to survive and live in Tasmania, and then be reunited with family members. The law can be a vehicle for social change, and the impact that government policies and laws can have on an individual’s life is ever lasting. We know access to legal representation can make such a difference and is life changing for our clients and their families.

What’s something you wish more people knew about what you do? I wish people knew more about the barriers in place for people seeking asylum and humanitarian entrants in Australia, and the resilience that all our clients show to overcome so many obstacles in their life - just to live a life that is free, and open to opportunities.

Who do you admire? Francesca Albanese, the United Nations Special Rapporteur.

Favourite podcast or tv show? Foreign Correspondent.

What are you reading now? Journey by Moonlight by Antal Szerb

What was your first job? Working at a pub.

What are your daily news/social media habits? Reading The Guardian and listening to The Rest is Politics podcast.

Your favourite place for… Breakfast: Sunbear.

Lunch: Bumi.

Dinner: Sawak.

Dream holiday destination? Anywhere in the Balkans.

Favourite Tasmanian secret? The walk between Seven Mile Beach and Roches Beach, and all the beautiful beaches all over Tasmania.

Parting words? Working as a humanitarian lawyer is one of the most rewarding careers. I love coming to work each day, working with my colleagues who care so much for the community.

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NEW NEW NEW

Pork knuckle and pretzel lovers will be loving the new Bierhalle (124 Davey St, Hobart) in the space once home to the Aberfeldy, Bridie O’Riellys, Hotel Soho and more recently, The Chowk. It’s the work of Chris Cooper, who is behind Preachers as well as co-owner of Boodle Beasley and Last Rites Brewing. New Town is welcoming Abraham Mezze Bar (30 Cross Street, New Town), the definition of a neighbourhood bar. Sisters and owners, Maggie and Marion Abraham, are serving Lebanese vegetarian mezze using produce grown in the kitchen garden onsite and their property at Molesworth and make their own breads, pickles and preserves. Is this your new favourite CBD hangout? Hidden Corner (52 Collins Street, Market Pl, Hobart) is now open from 11.30am–3pm Monday to Thursday and 11.30am–late Friday and Saturday. Matcha lovers now have a new spot to enjoy. Harbour Matcha (Brooke Street Pier, Hobart) has your classic iced and hot options using ceremonial grade matcha, as well as some new combos to try, like banana bread and gingerbread matcha. There’s lots of

GOODWOOD’S 10 MILLION CONTAINERS

The Goodwood Recycle Rewards Depot - the largest container deposit depot receiving 10c return drinks containers in southern Tas - has just clocked ten million containers returned. The depot is run by Social Enterprise Employment and Diversity (SEED),

food related activity happening in Liverpool Street at the moment, keep a lookout for Swirl Stacks (127 Liverpool Street, Hobart), a new fro-yo offering in the city. The team behind Lil Hong Kong (134 York Street, Launceston) boast Michelin star kitchen experience and are keen to share their delicious Hong Kong cuisine with Launnie. Try warming dishes such as handmade prawn spring rolls, scallion oil chicken and black pepper beef spaghetti, alongside Hong Kong style milk tea and salty lemon soda.

Studio Selkie (15 Castray Esplanade, Battery Point) is an art studio open to all - pay an entry fee and you can work on your own projects, use their materials, or buy a mini project. Perfect for non-artists, crafters or those seeking a bit of community. Check their socials for opening hours and projects.

JD Sports Eastlands (Shop G031, Eastlands, 26 Bligh St, Rosny Park) has opened a new Eastern Shore outlet - shoes, clothes, socks, vibes galore. Australian luxury spa group BODHI is expanding to Hobart with the launch of a new BODHI Bathhouse + Spa at The Tasman Hotel in September.

BEN LOMOND ACCESSIBILITY

Ben Lomond National Park will soon be more accessible year-round, with plans underway for a new accessible walkway and birds-eye view platform. The plans include a crow’s nest overlooking the Ford River Valley and a viewing platform to show off Jacob’s Ladder and its dramatic dolerite landscape.

LIVING MY BEST LIFE

Living My Best Life is a touring art exhibition featuring the work of Tasmanian artists with disability. The works are a big mix: think music, furniture design, printmaking, painting and everything in between. See it, for free, at:

• Burnie Library: 17 June to 14 July

• Queenstown Library: 16 July to 5 August

• Launceston Library: 7 August to 4 September

• Huonville Library: 7 September - 5 October

• Rosny Library: 29 October - 27 November

SPIRIT OF TASMANIA PAUSE

a not-for-profit providing training and jobs for people with disability. Data from the Department of Natural Resources and Environment show drink container litter has decreased by 50% in the year that the container deposit scheme has been running.

In October, TT-Line will pause all Spirit of Tasmania ferry services for seven days to allow for the changing over of vessels. The scheduled pause is causing some in the north to worry about the impact on the Deloraine Craft Fair and associated tourism. The Deloraine Craft Fair is the largest in the southern hemisphere, with over 25,000 locals and tourists over the fair’s weekend. Franklin MP Peter George recently told parliament: “it's a crucial week for the economy of the north west and the whole state” and asked the Minister for infrastructure and Transport, Kerry Vincent, whether he would direct TT-Line to review the pause. Vincent did not commit to changing the pause, but did say the schedule was under review. Let’s hope they keep the old Spirits nearby until a decent transition period is complete.

Available across three streams:

• Community

• Cultural and Creative

• Environment and biodiversity

To apply visit ccc.tas.gov.au/grants Applications are now open for grants of up to $10,000!

CRIME DOWN IN NORTH

New crime stats paint a mixed picture for the north of the state. General crime in northern Tasmania is down 7% in the past year, but youth offending and driving infringements are up. Northern District Commander Marco Ghedini said the 7% drop was “a fantastic result” and translated to about 700 fewer offences. Property offences are down 10.4%, business burglaries are down 35.6%, while shoplifting was down 15.4%. Commander Ghedini said officers had stepped up checks on offenders who were out on bail. Youth prosecutions rose 14%, and road safety infringement notices are up 31.7%, which Commander Ghedini called “exceptionally disappointing”. He then urged people to keep reporting crime to Crime Stoppers on 131 444.

WATER RESTRICTIONS EASED

Many of the water restrictions across the state have been lifted thanks to decent recent rains. TasWater Head of Communications and Engagement, Liz Hafner, said dam storage was back to strong levels.

“The recent rain has been extremely welcome, and improvements to supply levels in most of our catchments have had significant improvement,” Mrs Hafner said. Restrictions were lifted in Orford and Triabunna, Oatlands, Scamander and Whitemark. Lady Barron on Flinders Island, which uses groundwater bores, will remain on Stage 1 water restrictions until further notice while TasWater continues monitoring local conditions. Mrs Hafner said TasWater still encourages residents, visitors and businesses across the state to be mindful of their water usage. “Although this current rain is welcomed, the Bureau of Meteorology is closely monitoring the possibility of a Super El Nino system in the coming months, which would mean drier than normal conditions, warmer temperatures and increased pressure on our water systems.

“We will continue to monitor conditions closely and work with communities to encourage sustainable water use,” Mrs Hafner said.

WILDWATER WORLD CHAMPION

Congratulations to Hobart College HASS teacher Matt Dalziel, who has defended his Masters World Champion title at the 2026 ICF Wildwater Canoeing World Championships in Banja Luka. He returned this year to defend the title, which was an incredible achievement on the world stage.

E-BIKE LIBRARY SUCCESS

The City of Hobart is calling their free E-bike library a success in its first year. Since launching in May 2025, 144 borrowers have taken part in the program, collectively riding more than 9,800 kilometres. The library, which gives locals the chance to try an e-bike and see if they might like to buy one, has reportedly led to an uptick in local interest and purchases of such bikes. Local retailer Teros reported that around one in five cargo bike customers had first tried an e-bike through the library and a general 15 per cent increase in e-bike sales over the past year. Residents can borrow an e-bike for up to two weeks free of charge (bond applies), with a range of styles available. To book a bike, head to www.hobartebikelibrary. com.au

Meanwhile, a public tender is being progressed for a new shared e-bike operator in Hobart. Current provider Beam has advised it will not extend its existing permit, which expired on 30 June 2026, and will also not submit a tender for the new e-bike-only contract, following the Hobart City Council decision in April this year. Services are expected to begin from mid-August.

EXPLORE CLARENCE BY FOOT

Have you heard of rogaining? No it’s not a hair product, but a fun way to explore the outdoors. Rogaining Tasmania is hosting the Explore Clarence Metrogaine - a four hour map and compass navigational challenge in Clarence for walkers and runners on 6 September. The event centre is Howrah Sunshine Community Centre with quiz questions set at quirky locations from Rose Bay to Tranmere, including Clarence Plains and Rokeby. Participants will explore tracks and trails, reserves, parks and beaches and discover some interesting facts, art installations and historical places that can be found in the area. Families, couples and friends are all welcome to make up teams of 2-5 people across a range of age and gender classes (under 23 to over 65, plus family and novice categories). Maps are available from 0800 to plan your route; the event starts at 1000 and ends at 1400, followed by afternoon tea. Pre-entry is required at www.rt.asn.au by 28 August.

NEW GOLF COURSE UNDER DEVELOPMENT NEAR LAUNCESTON

Tasmania is set to strengthen its reputation as a top golf destination with the opening of a new championship 18hole course at Country Club Tasmania in summer 2026–27. Designed by golf course architect Mike DeVries, the course forms part of a major

redevelopment of the Prospect Vale resort and features a parkland-style layout winding through creeks, lakes and mature trees. With several holes already complete and preview rounds generating interest among golfing enthusiasts.

NEW PATHWAY FOR DEPRESSION TREATMENT

FOR Tasmanians living with treatment-resistant depression, Hobart TMS is providing renewed hope through an innovative, non-invasive therapy that is now Medicare-supported.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) uses gentle magnetic pulses to stimulate speci c areas o the brain linked to mood regulation. Unlike older treatments such as electroconvulsive therapy, TMS does not induce seizures or require anaesthesia, and patients experience no memory loss.

Psychiatrist Dr Yvonne Turnier-Shea said the evidence for TMS was compelling. “Statistically, remission rates for TMS are around 50 to 60 per cent – that’s signi cantly higher than antidepressant medication alone, which sits closer to 30 to 40 per cent,” she said. “For some patients, it has been truly life-changing, allowing

them to return to work, reconnect with family and live more fully.”

Hobart TMS is led by a team with some of the longest experience in TMS therapy in Australia. Professor Saxby Pridmore, a pioneer in the eld, introduced the rst TMS machine to the Southern Hemisphere in 1996. Since then, the team has treated thousands of patients and published widely on the effectiveness of the therapy.

“All treatments are delivered by experienced nurses and patients are reviewed regularly by psychiatrists throughout their course of therapy,” Dr Turnier-Shea said. “We pride ourselves on being comforting, approachable and making the treatment as affordable as possible.”

To enable the majority of the severely depressed population to have access Hobart TMS offers bulk billing for pensioners.

TMS typically involves 20 to 35 daily 20-minute sessions across four to seven weeks. While the commitment is intensive, many patients describe the process as surprisingly comfortable, some even nd it relaxing enough to fall asleep during treatment.

With the closure of St Helen’s Hospital, Hobart TMS became the rst dedicated outpatient clinic in Tasmania, making the therapy more accessible to the community. “Patients often arrive with understandable concerns,” Dr Turnier-Shea said. “But once they start treatment, their anxieties ease and the feedback we receive is overwhelmingly positive.”

For Tasmanians seeking new options in their journey with depression, Hobart TMS offers effective treatment and a genuine pathway to recovery. Find out more at www.hobart-tms.com.au.

DEPRESSED? TMS might help.

THUMBS UP

The absolute international sport fest that is July. FIFA World Cup! Tour de France! Wimbledon!

Hearty pub meals by a big fire on a cold night.

Winter swims with hot water bottles and Thermoses straight after.

THUMBS DOWN

Icy, slippery steps and pathways

Bird flu

The cost of *gestures in every direction* everything

Dog poo on the footpath

Click and Collect grocery substitutes

Have a thumbs up or down you want to share? Send it to editor@thehobartmagazine.com.au

BIRD FLU ALERT

The deadly H5 strain of bird flu has reached mainland Australia, and Biosecurity Tasmania states that Tasmanians should expect it to arrive here too, most likely through wild birds migrating from places where outbreaks continue to occur. The Department of Natural Resources and Environment website has the following information.

Clinical signs of avian influenza in live birds:

• breathing problems like coughing or sneezing

• circling

• tremors and incoordination

• twisted neck

• inability to stand or fly

• swelling in the head, neck and eyes

• change of colour or cloudiness in the eyes.

How to report sick or dead animals:

• If you see large numbers (more than five) of sick or dead birds or other wildlife, phone the Emergency Animal Disease hotline as soon as possible on 1800 675 888.

• Record the type of animal, numbers, location, time, what you see, and take photos or videos if possible.

• You can report small numbers of sick or dead birds or other wildlife through an online form at nre.tas. gov.au/biosecurity-tasmania

• It is important you do not touch sick or dead animals.

• If you must handle sick or dead birds, you can help protect yourself by wearing PPE which should include a mask, goggles and gloves.

• Wash your hands thoroughly after handling any birds and equipment.

CALLS FOR GREATER AWARENESS OF ELDER ABUSE

Relationships Australia Tasmania is encouraging Tasmanians to recognise the signs of elder abuse and help create safer, more connected and respectful communities for older people. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, around one in six older Australians experienced elder abuse in the past year, with family members responsible for around half of reported cases.

Rising living costs and Tasmania's housing shortage are placing significant pressure on many families. Adult children may return to live with ageing parents or become financially dependent on them. While these arrangements are often entered into with goodwill, they can sometimes lead to conflict, pressure, a loss of independence and, in some cases, abuse.

drawals, pressure to sell property or unexpected changes to wills or power of attorney arrangements.

CEO of Relationships Australia Tasmania, Dr Michael Kelly, said elder abuse can be difficult to identify and even harder to talk about, particularly when it involves someone we know, trust or care about. "Older Tasmanians deserve to feel safe, respected and valued in their relationships and communities," Dr Kelly said. “Increasing awareness of elder abuse is important. When we recognise the signs, we can respond and help protect the dignity, wellbeing and independence of older people. A connected and respectful Tasmania is one where older people can live safely, maintain meaningful relationships and feel a genuine sense of belonging.”

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Signs of elder abuse can vary, but may include injuries such as bruises, fractures or cuts, unexplained weight loss, poor personal hygiene, the sudden disappearance of personal belongings, social isolation, unusual bank with-

Relationships Australia Tasmania's Elder Relationship Service supports older people and their families who are experiencing relationship difficulties and concerns relating to ageing and wellbeing through counselling and mediation.

KETTLEBELL CHAMPIONS RETURN WITH 7 WORLD RECORDS

Annette Counsell, 58, and Lenka Pelcova, 36, have just returned home from the World Kettlebell Sports Championships in Moldova with 15 medals between them and Annette also broke seven world records. The two traveled with the Australian national kettlebell team, competing with lifters from around the world, over three days.

A kettlebell is a cast-iron or cast-steel weight, shaped like a ball with a handle. Kettlebell sport involves performing as many repetitions of an overhead movement as possible in a set time, most commonly 10-30 minutes. Annette won three gold medals at the championships and six silver medals and Lenka won two gold medals, two silver medals and two bronzes. Both Lenka and Annette, who train at the same kettlebell club in Hobart, have been doing the sport for around four years. These Tasmanian

trailblazers hope to empower people of all ages to explore what they are physically capable of. Lenka runs a support service company and Annette is a teacher at Southern Support School.

The World Kettlebell Sports Championships were held in Moldova Chisinau from 4 to 7 June. The two now go back into training for nationals in September in Perth.

TELCOS NOW VERIFYING TEXT MESSAGES

Lots of changes came in on 1 July, but one you may have missed is that telcos had to make changes to how SMS and MMS sender names and Sender IDs are displayed. A Sender ID is the ‘from’ name of a message sender, such as a business name, that's displayed at the top of text messages to show you who the message is from. For example, any messages you receive from Telstra will display the Sender ID 'Telstra' or TelstraPlus' depending on what the message is about. You might start seeing 'Unverified' texts now. In

RIVER OPENS UP IN BRIDGEWATER

Boats can now travel from Hobart to New Norfolk for the first time since the 1940s thanks to the demolition of the old Bridgewater Bridge. Parts of the old bridge will become artworks on the river banks. The convict-built causeway has been kept in place and will be revegetated. The $13 million demolition project was led by Hazell Brothers in a joint venture with Brodie Marine and Civil.

order to prevent fraudsters mimicking legitimate businesses, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), requires all senders who use a Sender ID for SMS or MMS to register it by 1 July. Telcos now meant to check if Sender IDs are registered. If they're not, their SMS or MMS will be delivered from the name 'Unverified'. An 'Unverified' message might mean the sender is not legitimate, so it's a good idea to stay alert for potential scam or fraudulent messages. Check in with your telco for more information.

CLARENCE COTY OPEN

If you live in Clarence and want to nominate someone for a Citizen of the Year Award, you have until 20 July. The categories include: Citizen of the Year, Senior Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Organisation or Community Event of the Year, Community Harmony and Local Hero. www. ccc.tas.gov.au

MISSING SOCCER GOALS

Across Hobart, soccer goals have gone missing. Hobart United FC recently announced they were removing the remaining goals from their training ground at Queens Walk Oval following the theft of one full sized goal and half of another. In response to this news on social media one commenter said that the New Town Eagles also had two goals stolen from Cornelian Bay at the start of the year, and the Central Region Junior Football Association had lost seven goals. It’s thought the thefts were carried out so that the goal materials could be sold as scrap metal.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SES!

Huge thanks to Tasmania SES, which just celebrated 50 years of service to the Tasmanian community. Tasmania SES Acting Executive Director Luke Flanagan said since it was established in 1976, the SES had grown into an essential part of Tasmania’s emergency management network. “Often working in hazardous and unpredictable conditions, our SES members have demonstrated professionalism, adaptability, and courage,” Mr Flanagan said. “Their actions have not only saved lives but have also helped communities endure and recover from some of the most challenging events in Tasmania’s history.” Mr Flanagan said local SES units provide a vital link between communities and emergency response, drawing strength from local knowledge, teamwork, and a deep sense of responsibility,” he said. “Volunteers and staff from diverse backgrounds come together with a shared purpose to promote and support community safety and resilience to floods and storms, respond effectively to storm, flood and other emergencies, and to enable a smooth transition from response to recovery.” In 1976 the Tasmania SES replaced the Civil Defence and Emergency Services, which had operated through the 1960s and early 1970s. If you’re interested in becoming an SES volunteer head to www.ses.tas.gov. au/volunteer or contact your nearest SES Regional Headquarters.

SHARING YOUTH STORIES ON THE BIG STAGE

Hayden Tonazzi is the CEO and artistic director of the Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP). Next month, they’re bringing their latest show, Saplings, to Theatre Royal in Hobart.

Saplings is drawn from workshops and interviews with people that have lived experience with youth detention in NSW. Why did ATYP choose to program this work?

We exist to platform young Australians whose voices don’t often get heard on a national stage, and that’s been true since Follow Me Home, a show we made years ago about youth homelessness. Saplings sits in that same tradition. It just feels like the right moment for this story. There’s been so much national conversation lately around the age of criminal culpability, the Raise the Age campaign, and the fact that First Nations young people are still so overrepresented in that system. We wanted to make a show that put real young voices at the centre of all that, and let audiences sit with the experience of these kids, not just the headlines about them.

It has been described as ‘hilarious and heartbreaking’. How do these two descriptors sit together in the show? What can the audience expect? Honestly, that’s exactly what it felt like sitting in the room with these young people. We’d go into workshops expecting heavy conversations, and instead we’d meet some of the funniest, warmest kids you could imagine. A lot of them didn’t even seem to grasp how serious their situation was. They’d tell us these really hard stories from their lives, but always with this cheekiness and humour. That’s what got our playwright Hannah Belanszky, and it’s what got all of us who went along to those sessions.

Hannah’s done something brilliant with that. The script is full of real, raw voices, and the humour is all theirs. Then the heartbreak creeps in as you watch that same youthful energy try to make its way through a system that just isn’t built to support them. We think audiences will laugh a lot, and then feel that laugh catch in their chest.

What changes when the show travels?

This is the biggest national tour we’ve ever taken on, and it speaks to something we believe deeply: these stories matter to young people everywhere, not just in Sydney. Every stop brings its own version of the show. We’ve welcomed three new cast members for this leg of the tour, bringing fresh voices

into a production that already means so much to us. The show itself is rebuilt for each space and our director and design team adapt the staging and blocking every time. Sometimes we only have a day to bump in, so the whole team, cast, stage managers, production crew, has to be nimble.

The show features a number of young actors, how does that differ from working with more seasoned actors? We treat our young performers exactly the way we’d treat any professional actor. That’s just our philosophy at ATYP. We’re here to give them a genuinely professional theatre experience and real development as artists, so we hold them to that same standard.

What we find with young actors though is they bring this fearlessness to the work. They throw themselves in completely, and there’s a level of commitment that often produces something really special. With a show like Saplings, that comes with extra responsibility too, because these performers are stepping into the stories of really vulnerable people, so we make sure they’re well supported the whole way through.

WHAT’S ON IN HOBART

MONDAY

13

See rare atlases and maps, Bowie lyrics and a Shakespeare First Folio at Mona’s new library, Phrontisterion. Open ThursMon, 10am–5pm, via the main entrance.

20 All good things must come to an end: FIFA World Cup final is scheduled for 5am AEST today.

WEDNESDAY TUESDAY

7 Peter Manthorpe, a Tug Master with TasPorts, reflects on his life working different types of ships at today’s lunchtime talk at the Royal Society Room, TMAG, 12pm. Free.

14 Mark Bastille Day with a classic french menu (and, of course, wines) at WunderBar & Restaurant tonight from 6:30pm.

27 St Lukes is running a series of Adaptive Yoga classes for every body - wheelchair users, seniors, anyone with limited mobility. 11am.

3 The Downshift Festival at Moonah Arts Centre is a music and ideas event seeking to empower resilient community engagement with the climate crisis. 11am7pm.

4

Over the past few years in Tasmania, photographer David Stephenson has been tracing the daily passage of the sun. See his resulting exhibition Sun Drawings at Bett Gallery til the 15th.

8 The Festival of Voices is in full swing. Want to hear Lior’s lovely voice paired with a string quartet in a warm and intimate setting? You can, tonight, at the Theatre Royal, 7:30pm.

15 International guitar sensation Alexandr Misko is in Australia for the first time and playing live at the Hobart Town Hall tonight from 7:30pm.

9

THURSDAY FRIDAY

More festival fun at The Peacock Theatre: Cassandra Charlick’s When I Grow Up is at 6pm, then at 8pm Tom Wolfe and Scott Targett present an intimate acoustic tribute to The Beatles

16 Celebrate Australian whisky with tastings from Callington Mill Distillery and Corowa Distilling Co. MACq 01, from 6:30pm.

10 The Karate Australia National Championships - the pinnacle event for the sport - is on at MyState Bank Arena today til the 12th.

17 Hobart’s Town Hall becomes a 1920s street-style bar scene tonight for The Jazz Room: A Journey to the Heart of New Orleans, from 6:30pm.

22 The Drag Roast Tour (an Australian first) comes to Hobart, with stars of RuPaul’s Drag Race and hosted by Reuben Kaye. The Odeon, 7pm.

23 Naomi Parry Duncan is the author of Musquito, one of the First Nations resistance warriors of the early colonies. She’s in conversation with Lucy Christopher at Fullers, 5:30pm.

29 Mures hosts Kelp & Casks tonight, a winter series pairing Tassie whisky makers with premium quality seafood. Tonight it’s with Heartwood Distillery, 6pm.

30 Crafts & Cocktails is a weekly creative evening for grown-ups in the relaxed, colourful space of Lumina Studio, North Hobart, 6pm.

24 Let’s go girls, to Still the One, The Music of Shania Twain, at Wrest Point tonight from 7:30pm.

6 Beaker Street kicks off today with a ‘shrimply irresistible’ Krill Party from 5:30pm at the Waterside Pavilion.

31 The Second Noise Edition featuring Ryosuke Kiyasu (and a whole lot more on the bill) goes from 7pm tonight til 1am tomorrow at The Grand Poobah.

7 Lano & Woodley In Space (or at the Theatre Royal today and tomorrow), or check out Rosie Treasure’s An Eggibition: Life on “Little Big Farm” at Rosny Schoolhouse til the end of the month.

JULY

SATURDAY SUNDAY

11

The Tasmania Devils host the inaugural Mental Health Match at North Hobart Oval today. Enjoy a night of firelight, food and wine at Uplands Vineyard, Cambridge for Dark Shed, also on the 18th.

18 Meet over 120 makers, creatives and food vendors at the Tasmanian Made Winter Festival, PW1, all weekend. The Tasmanian ADHD Conference is at Hotel Grand Chancellor, 10am-5pm.

25 PAW Patrol fans of all ages are going to want to get to MyState Bank Arena this morning for the PAW Patrol Live! “Race to the Rescue”, 10am11:30am.

1

Speakers at this year’s TEDxHobart will riff on the theme of ‘identity’. It’s at the Ian Potter Recital Hall, 11am4pm.

12

Make your own compost after the home composting workshop this morning at Mathers House, 9am-10am. It covers chickens, small and large compost options, worm farms and more.

19 Abbie Chatfield’s new show is dedicated to men: ‘the good, the bad, the wildly overconfident…’. She’s in The Hanging Garden tonight, from 6:15pm, 15+.

SPOTLIGHT

3 July - 2 August

The popular Clarence Open Art Exhibition is a biennial prize open to all Tasmanian artists working in painting, photography, drawing and printmaking. It’s held across both The Schoolhouse and The Barn at Rosny Farm.

17-29 July

26 Two giants of the Australian blues and roots scene, Jeff Lang & Dom Turner, are together at Altar Bar tonight at a very respectable 5pm. All ages.

2 The Kunanyi Trail Series returns with the Tolosa half, quarter and 5km races. Or try Latin Dance for free with Healthy Hobart, 2pm3pm, Lenah Valley Community Hall.

8 Step back in time at the Heritage & Bullock Festival in Oatlands, today and tomorrow, 10am-4pm.

9 It’s the last day of Balfour House in Cygnet’s The Winter Collection - an exhibition featuring over 40 works showcasing a diverse range of mediums and forms, 10-3pm.

Bytewise is Questacon’s interactive travelling exhibition exploring mathematics and computer science through hands-on challenges, inspiring all ages to discover logic, programming and problem-solving concepts. Bringing some of the best of the Canberra science museum’s exhibits to Tasmania this month, it’s designed for ages 10–15, but engaging for all visitors to Glenorchy Library on these dates and various other Tasmanian libraries until September.

17 July

The Tasmanian Land Conservancy (TLC) and Handmark Gallery have collaborated on a new exhibition to celebrate the TLC’s 25th anniversary. Ten of the gallery’s artists have spent time responding to the landscape at TLC’s latest land protection, Fiver Rivers Reserve north of Bronte Park. The beautiful works are available to purchase,

with funds going to TLC, and are on display until 3 August. Opening night tonight starts at 5pm.

19 July

Tasmanian Song Company are performing, Australian Made, featuring Australian composers and writers Tim Minchin, Paul Kelly, Peter Allen and Neil Murray. Clarence Uniting Church, corner of York Street and Cambridge Road, Bellerive, from 2.30pm–4.30pm. Tickets at TryBooking.

21 July - 20 August

Hadley's Art Prize is now open at Hadley’s Orient Hotel. See Australian landscapes from the likes of Ken Done, Luke Wagner and Agnes Rubuntja. The winner is announced on the 31st.

6-17 August

Happy 10th birthday to our favourite science + art festival, Beaker Street! The festival will feature Hobartica (a bit of Antarctica on the Hobart waterfront), plus sessions on mushrooms, bats, psychedelics and more. There’s sauna and music and even a panel of forensic experts discussing the realities of the true crime we see portrayed on tv. Beakerstreet.com. au for more.

AROUND THE ISLAND

MONDAY

6

Explore North West Tassie as private properties unlock their gates for Permission to Trespass, until the 15th. Long table feasts, creative workshops, markets, whisky tastings and more.

13 Music for Minis is a free music class for babies, toddlers and their carers. The fun sessions build confidence, language and numeracy. Various dates/times at St Lukes Launceston.

20 Join Denise Fletcher as she discusses her debut novel Unspoken at Devonport Library, a gripping work of political fiction. 5:45pm-7pm.

27 Head to Gaming for Youth at Kinimatatakinta/George Town Library today (and lots of other Mondays), 3:15pm-4:15pm.

7

Head to Du Cane Brewery for Pub Juggling, a social juggling club for jugglers and non-jugglers. 5:30pm-7pm.

8

Winter in the Vineyard: A Vine Pruning Masterclass is at Clover Hill Vineyard, Lebrina today from 11:30am3:30pm, plus a tasting masterclass and cheese platter. Various dates.

14 QVMAG is currently showing Between the Details: Video Art from the ACMI Collection, showcasing five moving image artworks by Australian artists. Until 6 Dec.

21 Join a JackJumpers and Jewels Holiday Clinic for 5-12 year old basketballers looking to hone their skills, today and/or tomorrow, Devonport Recreation Centre.

15 Fantastic Forms features the work of Merric Boyd, with over 200 drawings and ceramics, alongside works by Rubyrose Bancroft, Stephen Benwell and Nabilah Nordin. Until 27 Sep, QVMAG.

28 Working It Out host Crafternoons at Devonport Library. It’s a safe space for LGBTIQA+ folks and allies to chat and craft. All sexualities, genders and identities are welcome, 18+, 2pm-4pm.

29 Newstead College's musical production The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical opens tonight until 1 Aug. A rock musical about a teen who discovers he’s a demigod son of Poseidon.

5 Take a virtual tour exploring the history of Carr Villa and hear stories of interesting people laid to rest there. 1pm. Reserve your spot via the Launceston Library at Eventbrite.

9 George Town Council presents Funerea Procession, a contemporary exhibition by Alastair Mooney, inspired by the yellow tailed black cockatoo. Until the 11th, Jim Mooney Gallery.

16 PandaBeats hosts a Kids Silent Disco at Midnight Rambler, $15, two sessions from midday. Head to Devonport Library for Book Chat. No reading list, just a chat and cuppa. 2pm-3pm.

23 With 32 events across 19 venues and a rich mix of ticketed and free experiences, Devonport Jazz invites you to explore the city while it’s truly in full swing. Until the 26th.

School holiday clinic. Pic: JackJumpers

6 If you’re after Art, craft and conversation, head to Burnie Library today from 10am-12pm. All welcome.

10 Walk alongside a member of the Palawa community for tunapri Patuyala, and discover local Palawa culture at Patuyala (Boat Harbour) on guided tour and hands-on activity. Other dates too.

17 Enjoy free entry and hot drink every morning between 8am-10am at Woolmers Estate, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 15 tickets daily, book at www. woolmers.com.au.

24 Get ready for a chill night with The Echo Band tonight bringing their vibes live and loud as part of the Devonport Jazz. Mersey Yacht Club, licensed bar, bring nibbles. 7pm.

31 Pull on your dancing boots for a Bush Dance at Geneva, Latrobe featuring country artist James Blundell, line dancing, gourmet bbq and sweet treats. From 6pm, tix Eventbrite.

7

Head to Youth meetup: Board games, cards and chess at Longford Library. No experience needed, just drop in. Fortnightly on alternating Fridays, 4:30pm-5:30pm during term, 12-17 years.

11 Experience Moonlight Stories at Table Cape Light House, featuring a free sound and light experience through projected artwork by Alex Moss. Other dates, various times.

12 Head to Westella Sunday School at Rowella to explore a rotating Pinot Noir theme, for a small and relaxed deep dive into the varietal. Various Sundays, book ahead.

18 Celebrate community at the Lightwave Festival, with a spectacular sound and light show, music, food and drinks, fires and a light parade starting at 6pm, Nubeena CWA Hall.

25 Tonight is the last night to enjoy the spectacular Bicheno Beams lightshow. Check-in from 6:00pm for a 6:30pm show.

19 The Church Campbell

Town hosts a traditional Christmas In July buffet in an 1857 sandstone church. Festive feast, desserts and drinks included. BYO welcome. 12pm, tickets $59.95.

Deborah Kelly, The Gods of Tiny Things. Pic: Supplied

8

Dive deep into your soul with a session exploring a shamanic healing journey to reset and recharge. Okines Community House, Dodges Ferry. 9am, $47 via Eventbrite.

Adam Reibel

9 The Longley Pub hosts Longway to the TOP, an Australian rock tribute show. 2pm, tickets via Oztix. Adults $25, kids $15.

MORE AROUND THE ISLAND

11 July

Do you love to pickle and padel and eat pizza? Then join in the fun at The Racquet Collective x Du Cane Pickle, Padel and Pizza Party. Your ticket includes 2.5 hours of organised pickleball and padel play, all equipment provided (or bring your own), Du Cane pizzas throughout the event, a drink token, spot prizes and giveaways throughout the night, music, social games, and plenty of opportunities to meet new people. No experience? No worries. Whether you’re a seasoned player or trying pickleball or padel for the first time, they promise to make sure everyone gets involved. Dress code: Channel your inner Wimbledon champion - whites encouraged, as well as comfortable activewear/shoes. Tickets ($60) are limited to 40 people to ensure plenty of court time for everyone. 7pm-9:30pm.

17 July

This winter, step beyond the daylight and into the ruins of the Port Arthur Historic Site by night. Lumière, the opening night for Lightwave Festival, transforms the historic site after dark - layering light, art, sound and performance across one of Tasmania's most iconic spaces. Journey through the ruins at your own pace. 6pm-10pm, $140 general admission or $125 for groups of 4+. Your ticket includes a banquet dinner, light, art, performance. Mulled wine, cider, and drinks are available for purchase. www.visit.portarthur.org.au.

18 July

Join Piermont for a fireside feast celebrating Tasmania's winter harvest with chef, author, environmental activist and changemaker, Jo Barrett. Named Chef of the Year in the 2024 Good Food Guide and recognised as a World's 50 Next Pioneer, Jo Barrett is one of Australia's most compelling culinary voices. Set on the open-air terrace of Homestead at Piermont, this one-night event brings together open flame cooking, seasonal produce and the wild beauty of Tasmania's East Coast. Gather by the fireside as Jo prepares a four-course menu inspired by Tasmania's winter bounty. Mulled wine in hand, long candlelit tables, open firepits and great company will carry the evening well into the night. Live music by XO Sounds Alex Reid. 5pm till late. Tickets $300 adult or $80 child (4-17yrs) at www.piermont.com.au

Email us at editor@thehobartmagazine.com.au

Background photo: Kayaking past Dolphins, Flinders Island. Pic: Matty Eaton Details subject to change. Check the finer points with individual events.

FRIDAY 17th JULY 6 –10pm

portarthur.org.au/lightwave

feast of fire & light.

For one night this winter, Port Arthur’s historic ruins become the backdrop for a new type of journey.

This July, the opening event of Lightwave Festival will see the shadows of Port Arthur illuminated by world-class art and the primal glow of live-fire cooking. Called Lumière, this is a multi-stage progressive feast, and more, that subverts the traditional dining experience. Journey across the historic site, moving through a curated evening where food, fire, art, and landscape come together.

From canapés and mulled wine & cider, to a dramatic, longtable communal dinner, the evening’s menu is crafted by 1830 Restaurant Head Chef John Churchill and cooked over open flame.

But Lumière is also a living canvas.

The ruins and grounds of Port Arthur are brought to life through

large-scale light installations by artist Alex Moss, the deep atmospheric soundscapes of live electronic musician Tim Boh, and a line-up of performers and artists throughout the evening.

Cosiness under the timber rafters of the Asylum Café awaits where you will finish with decadent desserts, Tasmanian cheeses, and local beverages. Step inside the ruins, lean into the warmth, and experience Port Arthur through all your senses.

The Canvas of Stone.

Artist Alex Moss

As an audio-visual artist, Alex Moss specialises in projecting light and sound onto unusual surfaces, transforming building walls, trees, and landscapes into interactive experiences that challenge perception.

GOOD TO KNOW

How much walking is involved?

Lumière involves walking 2 –4 km across the Port Arthur Historic Site, including the ruins, buildings and grounds.

What should I wear?

Dress for the weather and bring suitable outdoor layers. An umbrella or wet weather protection is recommended.

“Sometimes people aren’t sure about what they’re experiencing, and they’ll go closer or reach out to check if the thing they’re seeing is real or not!” Moss reflects.

For him, this wordless communication is a way to create a deeply personal, shared experience with an audience.

His creative process is grounded in immersion.

Moss begins by visiting a space to collect field recordings, photography, and local anecdotes before entering a playful, spontaneous flow state to build his soundscapes and visuals.

What happens if it's raining?

Lumière is designed as a winter event and will go ahead in wet weather. If severe conditions impact safety, guests will be contacted as soon as possible with further information.

Can I bring my children?

Lumière is an adults-only event.

When bringing his work to the Peninsula for Lumière, Moss wanted to directly engage with the site’s inherent tensions.

“The prison has a cold and lonely sort of feeling,” he says.

“In some ways, I want to respond to that by creating the opposite. The Peninsula is a place of contrast, dramatic cliffs and wild surf, but also little protected bays.”

By contrasting the cold, heavy history of the stone with warm, interactive light, his installation invites the audience to see a familiar landscape in an entirely new way.

Is there parking available?

Free parking is available outside the main entrance at the Port Arthur site. Please allow a short walk to the event.

Rhythm of the Ruins.

Artist Tim Boh

For live electronic musician Tim Boh, performance is an act of deep connection. Crafting a style he describes as neo-indie electronica, Boh anchors his live sets in synths, vocals, and intricate live looping.

“I create music for other people, but I am also creating something that moves me,” he says.

“If I am not genuinely connected to it myself, I can’t communicate it to the audience.

"That’s where the magic happens.”

Whether leading an energetic dance floor or creating ambient, meditative soundscapes, his goal is to help the crowd relax, open up, and tap into a shared creative flow.

Bringing his performance to Lumière offers a unique opportunity to engage with a landscape of profound historical weight.

Boh plans to weave the complex, evocative atmosphere of Turrakana/Tasman Peninsula directly into his sonic narrative.

“Imagine listening to a rhythmic sound, looking up at the stars, and feeling the cold, the history, and the spirit of the place,” Boh reflects. By blending upbeat, moving rhythms with the raw emotion of the site, his performance invites guests to step into the moment, dance, and connect with the landscape on a deeply spiritual level.

The Primal Table of John Churchill.

For 1830 Restaurant Head Chef, John Churchill, winter cooking is defined by touch, intuition, and the ancient theatre of open flame.

Having honed his craft across Australia, New Zealand, and France, where he learned a holistic, farm-to-table approach under a former Michelin-starred mentor, Churchill’s signature style is grounded in connection.

“At some point in every culture, there’s that connection between

GOOD TO KNOW

How can I request accessibility accommodations for the event?

Seating at the banquet dinner includes both high and low stools. Guests with specific seating requirements are encouraged to contact reservations@portarthur.org. au in advance so appropriate arrangements can be made.

fire and food,” he says. “It’s a more intuitive way to work, letting the smoke and fire guide you.”

For Lumière, Churchill is translating this philosophy into an abundant, communal feast designed to showcase the rugged bounty of Turrakana/ Tasman Peninsula.

Guests will start with mulled wine and roaming canapés, before moving to a grand long-table banquet, featuring pasture-

Transport across the site can also be arranged for guests with mobility needs to support access to the light, art and performance. Please email in advance to ensure availability. The banquet dinner location is wheelchair accessible via ramps and lift access.

raised Premaydena Hill beef, Tongola goat, and local market fish roasted over live fire.

The multi-stage journey finishes with dessert and cheese, paired with local pours from McHenry Distillery, Bream Creek, and Dunalley Bay.

“It’s an opportunity to showcase these incredible local ingredients in a way people haven’t experienced before,” Churchill notes, “grounded entirely in the winter landscape.”

Are there options for dietary requirements?

Please advise any dietary requirements at checkout. For updates to group dietary preferences, contact reservations@portarthur.org.au

TASSIE MARKET WATCH

FIRST HOME BUYERS GRANT DOWN $10,000

The 2026-2027 budget has passed the Tasmania Parliament. First-home buyers in Tasmania are facing the end to two major offerings from their state government. The 2026 Tasmanian state budget confirmed extensions on two popular first-home buyer incentives will be wound up, rather than extended, at the end of the financial year. The temporary boost to the state’s $10,000 First Home Owners Grant – which took the handout to $30,000 in 2021 – is no longer available.

TASSIE OFFERING REAL ESTATE VALUE INTO 2026

In the Real Estate Institute of Tasmania’s (REIT) latest information release about the December 2025 quarter they shared that Tasmania continues to provide some of the most appealing and cheapest property across the nation. Sydney’s median house price in that quarter was exceeding $1.25 million and Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide’s median prices were above $825,000. Hobart was offering a lower priced alternative recording Australia’s second lowest median price of $746,000.

Of the regions, Greater Hobart saw an increase in house transactions of 5.5% (to 2115) and a 2.2% increase in median price, as above to $746,000. Launceston house sales numbers grew 8.9% (to 1096) while median price increased from $560,500 to $627,850. The North West recorded Tasmania’s strongest median price growth (up 10.3%) from $485,000 to $535,000 over the year.

23 Meika Court, Swan Bay

Indicative

Agent: Melissa Bennett, Harcourts East Tamar

A YEAR TO GET IN GEAR

In May, as part of the 2026–27 Federal Budget, the Government announced it would reform negative gearing and capital gains tax (CGT) arrangements. This measure is not yet law (at the time of print).

These changes, which are intended to apply from 1 July 2027, will:

• limit negative gearing for residential property investments to new builds

• replace the 50% CGT discount for individuals, trusts and partnerships with cost base indexation and a 30% minimum tax rate on capital gains.

The impact of these changes on existing investments will be limited. Properties held at announcement (7:30pm AEST on 12 May 2026) will be exempt from the negative gearing changes, while the CGT reforms will only apply to gains that accrue after 1 July 2027.

16 Atlas Drive, St Helens

Agent: Gayle MacDonald, L J Hooker St Helens

47 Ringarooma Road, Scottsdale

Indicative price: $499,000 - $559,000

Agent: Mellissa Sarich, The Agency Northern Tasmania

Jason Harbottle 0451 164 270

2026 TASMANIAN ARCHITECTURE AWARDS WINNERS

Tasmania’s most outstanding new architecture has been revealed in the Australian Institute of Architects’ 2026 Tasmanian Architecture Awards. The 31 awarded projects represent the cutting edge in architectural innovation from the state’s sharpest design minds.

The winners for 2026 act as a roadmap to the new building projects that are shaping Tasmania’s contemporary built environment. The Australian Institute of Architects is the country’s peak body, and the Tasmanian Architecture Awards are the state’s premier design awards. Awards Jury Chair, Martin Stephenson, explained the commonalities in this year’s award winners. “The Awards recognise projects making significant contributions to Tasmania’s built environment and community,” said

Stephenson. “Notable across many of the projects is the respect for existing buildings and a careful and restrained approach to conservation and integration of the new. Whether it be a significant civic building extension or a reinterpretation of the humble Tasmanian Shack, a clear theme of respect for physical and social history prevails in this year's entries and highlights what outstanding architecture can achieve.”

A few notable winners were the Tasmanian Chapter Roy Sharrington Smith Award for Heritage went to The Homestead Renewal at Wybalenna, by Taylor and Hinds Architects with the Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania. The Tasmanian Chapter Alan C Walker Award for Public Architecture went to the Albert Hall Renewal by TERROIR. Tasmanian Chapter Residential Architecture - Houses New Award went to Spring Beach House by Scale Architecture.

Architect Designed Residence

Absolute Waterfront

Positioned on the absolute waterfront at The Gardens, this architecturally designed residence captures uninterrupted views across one of the world's most celebrated coastlines

Completed

The upper residence has been designed with accessibility in mind, combining expansive open-plan living with breathtaking panoramic views across the bay

Two Luxury Residences

Six Bedrooms

Three Bathrooms

Accessible Upper Residence

1,034m° Allomment

Four Vehicle Accommodation

Direct Access to Waterfront Bay of Fires Location

TWO RIVERS BICENTENNIAL TRACK

Words and pictures: Elizabeth Osborne

The historic town of New Norfolk, in the Derwent Valley, is the location of the Two Rivers Bicentennial Track. The two rivers the track follows are the Lachlan and Derwent Rivers. The track is a gentle circuit walk of approximately six kilome tres. It’s clearly signed and well maintained.

New Norfolk is a 45 kilometre drive north west of Hobart along the Lyell Highway. There is ample parking in Humphrey Street, where the Two Rivers Bicentennial Track starts at Humphrey Bridge. An information panel at the bridge has a detailed map of the track.

Start the walk at Humphrey Bridge, where the track follows the course of the Humphrey River to the confluence with the Derwent River. Large deciduous trees line the track, framing glimpses of historic buildings. Several interpretation panels along the track provide insight into New Norfolk’s history.

The attractive Derwent Valley Community Garden is near the track. We were made welcome as we wandered among vegetable beds and admired quirky displays, before returning to follow the track to the sportsgrounds of Tynwald Park.

The track took us from Tynwald Park, to cliffs overlooking the Derwent River. This section of the track has panoramic views of the river, New Norfolk and its surrounds. The track circles back to the Lachlan River, with a short walk back to Humphrey Bridge.

Derwent Valley Council is to be commended for its maintenance of the Bicentennial Two Rivers Track and interesting explanatory boards. We walked in autumn, when deciduous trees were a blaze of colour, but the walk is attractive throughout the year. A return walk is planned in spring to observe seasonal changes.

TASSIE DUO TAKE YOUNG GUN AWARD

Just outside Launceston overlooking the Tamar River, winemakers Lauren and Matthias Utzinger have been working away at their vineyard since purchasing it in 2018. They were recently awarded the Young Gun of Wine Award, a prestigious recognition of their efforts. Matthias started his winemaking apprenticeship as cellar hand in Switzerland, followed by a degree in viticulture and oenology at the University of Changins. He met Lauren, a Tasmanian and found their way here, planting out their land with five clones of Pinot Noir, six clones of Chardonnay, some Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah. "The YGOW win is a really nice recognition of the way we practice viticulture and winemaking, as vignerons,” Lauren recently shared with us. “It's also another accolade for Tasmania as a whole that proves once again that we make great wines down in this small island state."

DINING: Gotham at The Still

On a Friday night during Dark Mofo we dropped into the new activation Gotham at The Still (30 Argyle Street), the ex-Franklin space, now run by Lark Distilling. The lights have been dimmed, giving New York bar

WHISKY WINNERS

King Island Distillery has taken home five awards across two London-based spirits competitions in a single week. Leading the results was the distillery's Gidley Pinot Noir Gin, which was named ‘Best in Australia’ at the 2026 Gin Guide Awards after also securing a Gold Medal and a Silver Cocktail Award in the ‘Negroni’ category. The success continued at the inaugural Spirits Guide Awards, where the distillery's Waterwitch Vodka received Gold in the ‘Vodka Martini’ category. Meanwhile, Sullivans Cove Distillery has claimed a record fourth ‘World’s Best’ title at the 2026 World Whiskies Awards. The Hobart distillery was awarded ‘World’s Best Single Cask Single Malt’ for its 18-Year-Old French Oak ex-White Wine whisky, becoming the only distillery in the awards’ history to achieve the feat four times. The accolade further reinforces Tasmania’s reputation as a globally recognised whisky destination.

feels, and a beautiful darkness has descended on the space. It was early in the evening and we took a risk by taking our two kids in with us. We needn’t have worried - they loved it and the staff were fantastic. The adults started with a whisky cocktail (how could you not here), and the kids enjoyed a soda and the complimentary snacky nut mix. Sitting at a high table, we had a perfect view of the DJ, who added to the vibe rather than being audibly intrusive, and could see the den area at the back, which would be perfect for groups. We took a scattergun approach with the menu, by Benjamin Co-Pavier (ex-Sonny) and ordered lots of snacks. Ceviche ($22) with local white fish, buttermilk and charred salsa, Steak Tartare ($24) using Robbins Island wagyu with cured yolk, paprika crisp and a little

dollop of caviar, and for my youngest, chips and gravy ($16) with the most delicious pork sausage gravy. Karaage fried chicken ($22) with dressed cabbage and umami mayo, and two juicy cheeseburgers ($26) house ground patty using the Robbins Island beef again, provolone cheese, courgette pickle and tomato rounded out dinner. Not done yet, the adults enjoyed the Tiramispoon ($14) made with Lark Chinotto Citrus Cask as the perfect finish. The kids walked away having enjoyed the vibe of being in a buzzing bar environment (albeit early in the night!) and the adults walked away feeling like they’d done something fun with excellent food and drinks. Win, win. www.larkdistillery.com.

The writer dined as a guest of Lark.

A MEDIUM'S VIEW OF LIFE AND DEATH

Ahead of her upcoming show at Theatre Royal, we spoke with Donna Young, who has spent over 35 years practicing as a Spirit medium, after a near-death experience inspired her to work in this space.

You share that your connection with Spirit started at age four. What's the difference between what you experienced then and what you experience now?

I understand what I'm seeing now, and I'm much more accepted by people than I was when I was younger. When I was a child growing up in the 1970s, this work was still illegal in Australia, so it wasn't something people openly spoke about. Over the years, Spirit has changed the way they communicate with me. As a child, I would see, hear and feel Spirit, but I couldn't always tell the difference between someone living and someone who had passed, except that those who had passed often had beautiful lights around them. Sometimes Spirit would show me things like a television screen. I remote view, so when Spirit or people tell me a story I go to that place to see.

As I grew older, they began showing me predictions in dreams. I would see accidents and people passing before it happened. I couldn't change or stop these events; they were simply warnings for me. Over time, I learned to understand what I was being shown, and today I don't only work professionally as a medium but also teach others how to develop their own connection with Spirit.

You were diagnosed with terminal cancer and a cerebral thrombosis at 16. How did that experience reshape what you believed before versus after? My near-death experiences taught me a great deal about the process of passing and what exists beyond this life. When I returned at 16, I came back with a huge

amount of information that I gradually had to incorporate into my life and teachings without sounding too bizarre to others.

That experience completely reshaped my understanding of life, death and Spirit. It gave me the understanding I needed to assist people through my readings and to better interpret what I was seeing. All three cancers and the many other health challenges I've faced have helped me better understand and support others. One of the most important things I learned is about what I call the "grey area" – an in-between space of peace and calm. It is from this space that I am often able to do readings.

Because of this, some readings can connect with people who have not yet passed and may not pass for some time. There is no pain there. It is a place I have seen people enter during dementia, coma, severe illness, or confusion. Many people with disabilities move freely within this space. It is peaceful, beautiful, and calm, and from there they can often connect with loved ones on the other side. I've always seen it almost like an old black-and-white movie, which is why I call it the grey area.

What does it feel like when you're channelling? Do you feel like you're choosing the words you share, or is it less controlled?

Channelling is the perfect word. The way I work is that I see people's loved ones standing beside them. If I'm reading via Zoom, they will often stand beside me instead. We communicate much like two people having a conversation. I also blend with their energy, which means I can feel how they passed, whether they had difficulties with speech, paralysis or other physical challenges. I can smell things associated with them, and they often show me events from the past or future through what I describe as video-like images. This is often referred to as remote

Donna Young

viewing. After more than 35 years of doing this work, I've simply learned how to bring all those pieces together to deliver clear evidence, guidance and messages.

And can you turn it off?

Yes, it's very important to be able to switch it on and off. For me, it's as simple as flicking a switch. Working with Spirit only becomes complicated when we make it complicated. I don't believe in reading people without their permission, so switching off is essential. What I've found over the years is that when people attempt to read others without invitation, the information is often inaccurate anyway.

During a show, or even when you're out in public, does it feel like there's a lot of 'noise' from Spirits wanting to communicate?

During a live show, yes. I work closely with my team in Spirit to keep some order so that the messages come through as clearly as possible and reach the people who need them most and to know who the information is coming from, usually I have many people come through as spirit gets excited to connect. Outside of work, however, I switch off. I believe everyone deserves privacy, and I don't spend my life reading people when I'm out in public.

What can guests expect from your show at Theatre Royal?

People can expect an evening filled with evidence, guidance, predictions, laughter, tears and a whole new perspective on life. Spirit will often bring me directly to a particular person or area of the audience. I then deliver messages from their loved ones using clear evidence, guidance about information I could not possibly know, and predictions for the future which often come true in detail. Spirit communicates very quickly, which allows me to connect with many people throughout the two-hour show.

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LIP SERVICE

Words: Annia Baron

I was thirteen years old and the infectious beat of “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)” was thumping hard from the chunky speakers on each side of the DJ. Inside the school community hall, students were celebrating the end of term with a supervised disco, and I was buzzing with excitement. My romantic crush had arrived at the party, and I knew that this would be the night I would have my first kiss. The anticipation of a magical experience electrified my cells and filled me with a sense of buoyancy I’d never known. But like the jarring sound of a vinyl record scratching on the turn table, everything changed in an instant and my jubilation disappeared faster than fog from the smoke machine on the dance floor. My first kiss was terrible. It felt like a collision course of darting rotations and erratic movements. Thankfully, the kisses that have been planted since, have made up for that measly pash.

The act of kissing triggers a delectable cascade of neurochemicals that benefit your psychological and physical wellbeing. Kissing ignites the flames of dopamine, which is the neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward, so a good smooch can elevate your mood and leave you feeling happier and more content. An intentional kiss also acts like a stop sign for the driving force behind cortisol production - your stress hormone - so it helps reduce the feelings of general anxiety. Kissing not only has a calming effect on the body and mind, but

it can also improve your immune system. When you exchange saliva through this intimate act, you’re subjecting the body to different germs and pathogens, and this exposure is how your immune cells create anti-bodies that build up resilience to illness. From an evolutionary perspective, the act of kissing is a biological exchange of rich, sensory data that deepens romantic connection and on a subconscious level, continues to strengthen genetic and emotional compatibility. Couples who kiss each other frequently often report higher levels of long-term fulfillment, and research has found that even a brief, purposeful kiss can become a powerful nonverbal cue that elicits trust, mutual respect, and safety, becoming another deposit in a couple’s emotional bank account.

Regardless of whether your first kiss was akin to fireworks in the sky or a misfired dud, memories of our first kisses are often easily accessible because they are a vivid representation of novelty, brain chemistry, and emotional intensity. But how often do we think about what our last kiss will be like? To never be kissed again, by the one you love is an inevitable sorrow many of us will experience. If you knew that your next kiss could be your last, would you treat each kiss with the honour it deserves?

The morning rush to work would be interrupted by a slow-paced glance, a delicate embrace, and the culmination of care for one another in the form of a soft, moist, fastigium of pleasure. The casual remark, “Just heading out to get some milk, honey” could turn into a

Before you decide to pay for a facial, consider that passionate kissing activates up to thirty-four muscles in the face. The micro-circulation of facial tissue that occurs during an enjoyable kiss enhances the production of collagen and elastin. These are the building blocks that help skin appear smooth and firm. Plus, with all the endorphins floating throughout your system, your face will be glowing for days!

spellbinding experience, and every quick peck on the cheek would linger into a luminous, poignant exchange of adoration. Could you imagine? Burst after burst of neurochemical fountains spilling out from inside our brains. The world could change in an instant and the flow on effects would be immeasurable, with huge shifts in our general pace of life. By tasting the conscious tincture that only comes from the act of our lips and tongue gliding against one another, we would grow mindful of our actions, our attention, and our time. More connected lovers would mean happier partnerships. Happier relationships would equal peaceful communities. From the crankiest abalone fishermen to the most uptight high stakes corporate banker, everyone would float to work with a serotonin-fuelled mind. Love and happiness would be the primary agenda, and it could all start with how we choose to make every kiss, our last.

Annia Baron is a Clinical Psychologist & Mindset Coach. Want to create a life you desire and deserve? Get in touch @anniabaron or visit www.remindyourself.com

A WINDOW ON MARITIME HISTORY

A remarkable visual record of Australia's maritime history is set to reach a far wider audience thanks to a recent grant awarded to the Royal Society of Tasmania. The Society has received funding through the Maritime Museums of Australia Project Support Scheme (MMAPSS) to create a high-quality interactive digital version of the Owen Stanley Album (Volume 2), one of the treasures of its art collection.

Created between 1837 and 1843, the album contains sketches and watercolours by Royal Navy officer, explorer and artist Owen Stanley. During this period Stanley commanded HMS Britomart, which undertook extensive surveying voyages around Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. His artworks provide a rare visual record of landscapes, coastlines, settlements and people encountered during these expeditions, capturing a world undergoing rapid change.

For historians, maritime researchers and local communities, the album offers a glimpse into the early colonial era across the Australasian region. Among its 82 images are scenes of Van Diemen's Land including the penal settlements on the Tasman Peninsula and the Orphan School in New Town, making it especially significant to Tasmania's history. The album also includes depictions of cultural ceremonies and gatherings in Indonesia, portraits of prominent Māori figures, and views of significant buildings in New Zealand. “This album provides a remarkable window into places, people and daily life nearly 200 years ago,” said RST Art Coordinator Marley Large. “It's like travelling alongside the expedition and seeing the world through Owen Stanley's eyes.”

In 1900 it was donated to the Royal Society of Tasmania by Eliza Stanley, Owen Stanley's sister-in-law. The gift followed efforts by Bishop Henry Montgomery and

I couldn’t ask for better support in putting my career back together. Bec, Carer

other Society members to collect and preserve items of historical significance for Tasmania. More than a century later, the album remains one of the Society's most important artistic and historical holdings.

Because of its age and fragility, the album is rarely displayed. To ensure its long-term preservation, the Royal Society recently undertook a major conservation project with support from MMAPSS. Expert paper conservator Alison Titchen treated the album, while Hobart photographer Simon Olding carefully created archival-quality images of every page. This work has laid the foundation for the next stage of the project: transforming the photographs into an interactive digital flipbook. “The album is a historical treasure waiting to be explored,” said Owen Stanley Album Project Coordinator Mary Koolhof. “There is so much in the paintings and in Owen Stanley's notes that is fascinating.”

Bec is an early intervention teacher. When her husband got lymphoma, she put her career on hold to care for him.

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ANTARCTICA'S LONG-LOST SIBLING

Dr Hannah Moore is a Scottish volcanologist who works from Tasmania. Next month she’s leading a tour of the Tasman Peninsula as part of the upcoming Beaker Street Festival.

Where did your interest in volcanology first start?

I grew up in Edinburgh, a city quite literally built around volcanoes. Arthur's Seat, looming over the skyline, is an extinct volcano. Edinburgh Castle is perched on Castle Rock - an ancient volcanic plug, the hardened throat of a volcano left standing after all the softer rocks around it eroded away. You can't grow up in Scotland without geology quietly working its way into your head, whether you notice it happening or not. So, in a sense, volcanoes shaped my world long before I ever studied them properly - I just didn't know at the time.

What hooked me later was realising that volcanoes sit at this intersection of the most exciting and most dangerous parts of geology - they're forces capable of reshaping landscapes overnight, but they're also one of the most threatening natural hazards on the planet. I wanted to understand why volcanoes behave the way they do; what's actually happening beneath the surface before they erupt, and how that understanding can be turned into something useful - into earlier warnings, better risk assessments, fewer disasters. That curiosity eventually took me a long way from Edinburgh. My PhD took me here to Tasmania, while my study site was a volcano in Aotearoa/ New Zealand.

I know Tasmania seems like an unusual place for a volcanologist to end up, but we actually have world-renowned researchers here at the University of Tasmania, particularly in submarine volcanology. Ancient volcanism is also the backbone of Tasmania's mining industry, so there's always a need for people who

understand volcanic processes and the deposits they leave behind.

Tasmania was once part of Antarctica. What physical evidence of that breakup can still be seen in the landscape today?

You can read the whole story in the rocks under your feet. Around 300 million years ago (the Permian period), Tasmania was part of the supercontinent Gondwana and sat very close to the south pole. Parts of it would have looked a lot like Antarctica does now: ice sheets, glaciers, icebergs drifting through shallow seas. Some of the rocks formed at that time in Tasmania contain dropstones, isolated rocks that literally fell out of melting icebergs into soft seafloor mud. We also share fossils with Antarctica from this period - marine shellfish like Eurydesma, and the seed-fern forests of Glossopteris - some of the strongest physical proof these continents were once joined.

Then, around 250 million years ago (Triassic), the climate began to warm, the ice retreated, and lush Gondwanan forests spread across the river plains, even at Tasmania’s high southern latitude. We see seed ferns from this time (Triassic period) like the Dicroidium in the rocks in both Tasmania and Antarctica, suggesting the two were both still connected.

The real upheaval came in the Jurassic period about 180 million years ago, when Gondwana began tearing itself apart. Enormous volumes of magma surged up through the stretching crust. The same event left dolerite and basalt scattered across Tasmania, Antarctica, New Zealand, southern Africa and Argentina. Here, very little of that magma erupted;

Dr Hannah Moore

it pushed sideways between rock layers and cooled underground, some intrusions over a kilometre thick. That single event is why Tasmania is arguably the dolerite capital of the world - hundreds of dolerite mountains, a third of our landscape capped in it, and not one dolerite mountain on the mainland. It built the cliffs of the Tasman Peninsula, the flat-topped Central Plateau, the skyline of Kunanyi/ Mt Wellington.

Tasmania didn't actually separate from Antarctica until much later - about 45 million years ago; prised apart by a spreading ridge that pushed Australia north while Antarctica stayed locked at the pole. They were some of the last pieces of Gondwana to let go of each other, which is part of why our geology still has more in common with Antarctica than with mainland Australia.

What's the most significant volcanic event in Tasmania's geological history, and how did it shape the island we know now?

People usually assume I'll say the Jurassic igneous event I just mentioned, and it's a contender, but for me it's the Mount Read Volcanics on the west coast of Tasmania. These volcanic rocks formed half a billion years ago in the Cambrian period. At that point, Tasmania sat beside a major subduction zone on the edge of Gondwana. The ongoing tectonic forces stretched and thinned the crust, allowing heat and magma to rise through it and triggering millions of years of submarine volcanism across western Tasmania. Those eruptions built the foundations for some of Tasmania's most important mineral deposits and shaped both the geology and history of the west coast.

THE TASSIE BOOK CLUB

The Woman Booker Prize Club is a local Hobart book club. Here they share their thoughts on books by Tasmanian authors, set in Tasmania, or about Tassie topics. Over to the club!

This month we review two novels with feel-good fuzzies to get you through the cold winter months. Our protagonists (Mary in Flowers in July and Joy in Good Joy Bad Joy) both have cause to work out what it is they really want - and they show us that it’s never too late to make changes that better our lives.

Mary Roberts has it together: she’s recently moved to Hobart, is nearing the end of her emergency medicine training, and she’s supporting her sister and Mum. Then she finds a g-string in her bed that isn’t hers.

After landing in temporary accommodation (South Hobart readers will enjoy) Mary needs to escape the incense, wind chimes and barking dogs. Finding herself on a wilderness expedition medicine course wasn’t exactly the plan, particularly not with the hospital's most intimidating consultant and…her ex.

Pushed outside her comfort zone, Mary is forced to face some hard questionswhat’s really in her control? What might happen if she lets go? Is she ready to really fall in love?

We loved Maynard’s debut novel, Dancing with Bees, and this, her second, does not disappoint. If you're a fan of Beth O’Leary or Emily Henry, I think you’ll love this - relatable characters, some poignant reflections on life, and a feel-good ending, all sprinkled with touches of home!

Review by Megan Tighe

Mikki Brammer’s debut, The Collected Regrets of Clover, was the first book we ever reviewed in these pages. So, nearly three years on, it has been lovely to read her latest.

In Good Joy Bad Joy, Brammer continues her preoccupation with what makes a good life (and death). Joy Bridport (ninety years old, upstanding citizen) has spent most of her life caring about what others think and putting their feelings first. She’s facing the death of her best friend, Hazel Scottsdale, who has lived a bigger and bolder life. In Hazel’s final months, Joy is motivated to break out of her shell - to bring Hazel joy, and to finally prioritise her own needs.

Early on I bristled at what I thought was criticism of Hazel’s life, which I saw as a good, if quieter, life. I needn’t have worried though, as Brammer deals sensitively with the layers of Joy’s personality, finding a balance between the positivity and politeness Joy’s mother inculcated in her, while addressing her history of non-confrontation when it comes to bigger issues. There is equal respect for those who “live out loud” and those whose “contributions

Book Chatter

Want to try before you buy? Area 52 is hosting a Free to Read Day during the school holidays, 10:304:30pm on 14 July, with a selection of novels, manga and graphic novels to read at your leisure.

We’re very excited about a special literary launch event on 24 July. Liz Evans has produced a podcast celebrating lutruwita/Tasmania’s reading and writing cultures and communities. We are honoured to feature in one episode and you will definitely see us at the podcast launch at Fullers Bookshop - the sound of our own voices though (to us, EUGH). We’re much more excited to get the other episodes in our ears asap!

24 July is also the deadline to submit video entries to SlamoVision - a Cities of Literature global slam poetry competition. If you have a connection to Hobart, you can submit a live-recorded poem (up to four minutes long). Be quick - you need to complete the registration form by 8 July. Email cityofliterature@hobartcity.com.au for more information.

Writers, keep an eye out for the 2027 Tasmanian Literary Awards, open for submissions soon.

might be quieter…that without us, the ecosystem would be missing an essential piece”. I enjoyed the view from inside Joy’s mind, and it put me in a reflective mood about my own life.

While this novel is set in the USA, local readers will definitely notice the number of characters with surnames based on Tasmanian towns!

Keen to chat books with us? Find us @thewomanbookerprizeclub on Instagram or email thewbpc@gmail.com

ANDREW WILKIE

P

P Phone 6234 5255 or 6234 5861

P Email andrew.wilkie.mp@aph.gov.au

P Write to me at GPO Box 32 Hobart 7001

P

@clio.connect

THE WOMEN WERE SILENCED. THEIR STORY ROARS ON.

The Female Factory is not a silent ruin.

It is a living hearth, fueled by the persistent, defiant energy of the women who lived and laboured within these yards. They carried a heat the Tasmanian winter could never extinguish and a spark of resilience that has grown into a roar.

But even a roar needs oxygen. History only survives as long as there is someone to stand within it, to hear it, and to keep the story breathing.

This winter, we invite you to step into the warmth of their legacy.

Stand where they stood, hear the voices that refused to be broken, and lend your own breath to the flame.

The flame of our history is in your hands.