Bass Bulletin - January 2023

Bass Bulletin Best of Bass Photo Competition

Read all about the You’re Welcome initiative from New Horizons Tasmania on page 3 and scan the QR code to join the movement.

Tania Rattray MLC, Bridget Archer MP, Kobie Hughes, Elizabeth Standfield, Karlie Johnston, Lochie Reid-Denman and Brayden Harris celebrate the arboretum created by Scottsdale High School students thanks to the Planting Trees for the Queen’s Jubilee Program. Full story page 2

A legacy of trees to mark Queen’s long reign

In early 2022, the Coalition Government announced the Planting Trees for the Queen’s Jubilee program.

Marking the significance of the late Monarch’s 70-year reign, funding was provided to every electorate across Australia for community-based tree planting programs.

Federal Member for Bass Bridget Archer said nine community organisations and schools from across northern Tasmania shared in $100,000 in funding through the program.

“From Scottsdale High School students working together to create an arboretum on their school farm to Tamar NRM and West Tamar Landcare joining forces to plant more than 500 trees at the Frankford Memorial Hall, communities have connected to create a legacy of tree plantings in her Majesty’s memory,” Mrs Archer said. The nine successful recipients are: Bridport Golf Club; Flinders Island District High School; Greens Beach Golf Club; Mowbray Golf Club; Rotary Club of West Tamar; Scottsdale High School; Tamar NRM and West Tamar Landcare; West Tamar Council; and Winnaleah District High School .

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Bridget Archer MP joining Her Excellency the Honourable Barb Baker AC at the Frankford Memorial Hall to plant an English Oak Tree - the same species of tree the Queen planted when visiting Government House during her visit to Tasmania in 1954

Bridget Archer MP with Bridport Primary School students and keen golfers Rory Lethborg and Charlotte Stevens, planting a flowering gum as part of the Bridport Golf Club’s project funded through the Queen’s Jubilee program.

Photo Credit: North Eastern Advertiser

Assisi Walkway in Riverside now has a number of trees planted thanks to the special tree planting program to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee

West Tamar Council Mayor Christina Holmdahl, Rotary Club of West Tamar member Barry Easther and Bridget Archer MP celebrate the avenue of trees planted on Weld St, Beaconsfield

Peter (Secretary) and James (President) from the Mowbray Golf Club

Volunteers and members of the Greens Beach Golf Club admiring the avenue of trees planted on the golf course

Collaboration key to creating a better future for Tasmanian youth

With over $700,000 in Australian Government funding, a new program Our Community, MY Future has been created to support youth from across the state.

Federal Member for Bass Bridget Archer said the pilot program is focused on providing early support for at-risk youth between the ages of 12 and 24 from refugee, migrant and Australianborn backgrounds.

“This is an exciting opportunity to make a demonstrable difference in the lives of young Tasmanians who engage with the services provided,” Mrs Archer said.

“Our Community, MY Future is also the first project of its nature where the three specialist youth services in the state - MRC Tas, The Link Youth Health Service and Cornerstone Youth Services - are partnering to provide wrap-around services and opportunities for young people to build skills and networks

supporting ongoing education and employment opportunities.

“I firmly believe that connection to community is paramount to ensuring any citizen feels seen, heard and valued and I am particularly pleased to see this program offering young people a chance to participate in co-designing and delivering a community-based project in their local area to build skills and local networks, and support their education and employment pathways.

“It’s my hope that the evidence gathered through the program will lead to longterm investment from governments of all persuasions as we rightly look at how best to support our youth work towards a better and brighter future.”

Get on board and say You’re Welcome

How accessible is your business to the disability community?

One in five of Launceston’s population of just over 106,000 live with a disability.

Thanks to funding through the Great City Regional Challenge and developed in conjunction with The Van Diemen Project, New Horizons Tasmania collaborated with six locals (pictured clockwise: Carolina, Brent and his son, Tommy, Jacquie, Nic, Minna, Dean) to share their reality of being out and about in Launceston.

New Horizons Tasmania CEO Belinda Kitto said the You’re Welcome campaign was developed in response to the results of a survey of local people with disability on their experiences when shopping, dining out and visiting service providers.

“We understand that no business sets out to be unwelcoming, but we also know that people with disability frequently experience frustration in daily life from issues that could be avoided with a little extra planning from others,” Mrs Kitto said.

“Thanks to the backing of our collaborators, our organisation has been empowered to get an important message out to Northern businesses. Through some very simple steps, hospitality venues, shops and service providers can become more accessible and welcoming, for more people. Surely a win-win!”

Beyond just physical accessibility issues, the campaign is driving local employers to think about how welcoming their business is when a person with disability enters their premises. In a series of videos on the New Horizons website and Facebook page, the challenges – and some suggested solutions – are discussed.

“I feel great when they look at me and talk to me, otherwise it doesn’t feel like I am there at all,” says Carolina.

“Even if a person that goes into your shop can’t communicate, you should probably go down to their level and acknowledge that they are there, because they can still feel that,” suggests Minna. If your business would like to get involved, New Horizons is providing inclusion checklists (with tips!) specifically for Retail, Hospitality and Service Providers to learn how their business can be more accessible, welcoming and inclusive of people with disability.

Businesses can also register to be part of the You’re Welcome movement, and receive a window sticker and poster, to let the community know their business actively welcomes people with disability.

Scan the QR code on the front of the Bass Bulletin or visit newhorizons.org.au

Bridget Archer MP, CEO of Migrant Resource Centre Tasmania Gillian Long, CEO of Cornerstone Youth Services Anthea Cooper, CEO of The Link Youth Health Service Miranda Ashby, MRC Tas Board Chair Peter Gutwein

Best of Bass Photo Competition

Bridget Archer MP ran a competition asking the community to submit their favourite photos of the northern Tasmanian landscape. The winning photos were selected to feature on the 2022 Christmas cards with one winner (Windmill Point, Vince Brophy) chosen for the 2023 Calendar, distributed across the electorate (Clockwise: Bell Buoy Beach by Sally Wilson; Launceston Nightscape by Jenni Green; Lillies Beach by Kelly Blundstone; Windmill Point by Vince Brophy; Lighthouse by Katie MacFarlane; Launceston Foggy Morning by Ben Dhanaraj).

Volunteer for Design Tasmania

Join the Design Tasmania team as a volunteer!

The Design Tasmania Gallery and Store is one of Australia’s leading not-forprofit design dedicated organisations.

A hub for Tasmania’s makers, design, culture and enterprise Design Tasmania is dedicated to nurturing and championing creative practice, bringing design to as many as possible.

A cultural tourism destination in Launceston, volunteers help the gallery to welcome more than 60,000 visitors each year and promoting design and craft through exhibitions, collection,

Sailing the seas to assist our veterans

retail, mentoring, colloquiums, camps, and workshops.

Design Tasmania’s strong network of volunteers assist to provide an informative experience for all visitors. Join their volunteer team and help deliver design and culture to all.

Inquire here: designtas.info/volunteer

If your community organisation is seeking volunteers and would like to feature in an upcoming edition of the Bass Bulletin, please email bridget. archer.mp@aph.gov.au.

Providing an opportunity for ex-servicemen and women, veterans, peacekeepers and their families to “get away from it all” was the motivation behind Noel Frichot establishing the Bravo Zulu Sailing Association.

The new not-for-profit organisation takes passengers away on free sailing trips for days or weeks at a time, giving participants an opportunity to reconnect with nature, rebuild confidence and bond with like-minded people with a sense of adventure.

“The mission of the organisation is to help our participants find themselves again and help transition back into civilian life. Sometimes an initial escape away from society can provide a bit of a re-boot for those on board,” Mr Frichot said.

No experience in sailing is necessary with participants taught basic sailing and seamanship skills and they can choose to learn basic navigation skills. Survival at sea and safety skills also form part of the pre-departure training.

If you know an eligible participant who may want to sign up for a voyage or if you are interested in volunteering, please contact bridget.archer.mp@aph.gov.au

Bridget Archer MP with Bravo Sailing Association President Noel Frichot and Vice President David Milne

Sarah Blacklock (GM) from Design Tasmania and Bridget Archer MP standing next to “ReCoil”, a centrepiece table crafted by Tasmanian-born designer Brodie Neill using reclaimed timber from the rugged beauty of Tasmania’s Pieman River Valley.

Launceston’s First Tool Library Opens

After more than a year and half of planning, the Launceston Tool Library opened to the public in late November 2022.

Designed as a place where all members of the community can come and borrow tools to make or repair items in and around their homes and gardens, the library is run entirely by volunteers from the Kings Meadows Veterans and Community Men’s Shed.

Federal Member for Bass Bridget Archer said it was an easy decision to get behind the idea for Launceston’s first tool library.

“I was pleased to support the project with funding through the Stronger Communities Program which, combined with assistance from the Tasmanian Community Fund, the City of Launceston and the Rotary Club of Launceston, will provide significant support to many in the community,” Mrs Archer said.

City of Launceston Mayor Danny Gibson said the Launceston Tool Library would provide an exciting new service to the community, reduce resource consumption, and divert waste from landfill.

“Tools can be expensive and it often doesn’t make good financial sense to spend money on buying a tool you may only need for a five-minute repair job around the home,” Mayor Gibson said.

“Being able to sign up to the Launceston Tool Library for a modest membership fee and then being able to borrow tools will make simple repair jobs much more affordable for people across our municipality.”

The Men’s Shed spokesman Phillip Atkins said more than 100 different types of tools would be available for loan at the Launceston Tool Library, comprising a mixture of second hand and brand new tools.

“We hope it will be a real benefit to those members of our community who perhaps don’t have the space or money to own their own tools,” he said.

“This project has been a real team effort and we are incredibly excited to be opening up to the public, after so much hard work from so many people.”

To become a member, visit launcestontoollibrary. com.au

Beaconsfield War Veteran’s Long-Awaited Trip to Australian War Memorial

Beaconsfield resident and World War Two veteran, 98-year-old John McKenzie was able to fulfill a decades long dream to visit the Australian War Memorial in Canberra in late September. John’s visit was assisted with help from the Beaconsfield RSL Sub-Branch as a component of their welfare program to retired veterans.

Federal Member for Bass Bridget Archer worked with Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Barnaby Joyce and the Australian War Memorial to ensure John’s much-awaited visit to the war memorial was one to remember.

John’s son Andrew travelled with his father to Canberra for the special trip, coinciding with John’s 98th birthday, and said it was one to remember.

“It was a team effort and everyone’s hard work in the background certainly made Dad’s visit epic!” Andrew said.

The Last Post Ceremony is incredibly emotional, and everyone should experience it at least once.”

John was born in Howick Street in 1924 and trained as an apprentice electrician before he attended the Brighton Army camp in 1943 and eventually choosing to join the Royal Australian Air Force, undertaking his basic training at the Point Cook RAAF base.

Further training saw John move through various Bases/Training camps before qualifying as a Leading Air Craftsman.

After first being deployed to a Recovery and Salvage Unit at NADZAB New Guinea, he was then relocated with the unit to the LAE New Guinea before being redeployed to the 33 Squadron LAE New Guinea towards the end of WWII.

After the War, John returned to Tasmania, to continue his employment with Powells Electrical, settling in his beloved Beaconsfield. John later worked for Comalco for 30 years until retirement.

John and his late father Richard joined the Beaconsfield RSL in the early 50s where John remains a member to this day!

Photo Caption: John (centre), flanked by Anne Bennie, Assistant Director, Public Programs at AWM and Andrew McKenzie during the Last Post Ceremony.

Launceston Mayor Danny Gibson officially opens the Launceston Tool Library

Youngtown Rotary Men’s Shed members David Brooks, Phillip Atkins and “Mooch” Powell

Elevating the voices of young northern Tasmanians

Launceston student Hazel Doyle feels so passionately about banning vaping, she submitted a speech to the Raising our Voices in Parliament campaign, hoping to hear her message heard in the federal parliament.

Championing the voices of young Australians, Raising our Voices in Parliament is a nationwide campaign giving the opportunity for anyone under the age of 21 to submit a 90-second speech on an issue that matters to them, to be read by their local federal member of Parliament.

Federal Member for Bass Bridget Archer said Hazel’s speech was chosen due to thought and consideration put forward by the local teenager on a contentious issue.

“Vaping is a topical issue which needs to be scrutinised more by federal and state parliamentarians, as we consider how to best support the health of our communities and particularly young people who can be heavily influenced by this trend,” Mrs Archer said.

Hazel flew to Parliament House in Canberra in late November to hear her speech read out in the Federation Chamber.

Below is Hazel’s speech:

I want the Australian Government to achieve the creation of laws to ban nicotine and vapes and make them illegal to people under 30 and vapes should be banned to be on or near school properties or facilities that work with under 18s.

Even being exposed to smoke and vaping increases the likelihood of harm to that child vaping or smoking from a young age and getting a drug addiction.

Nicotine and vaping harms brain development up to 25 years old, not to mention the major health risks. According to Kids Health Information.org, vaping impacts learning, memory, attention, and it increases the risk of drug addiction.

As a year 7 school student myself, I see a lot of students my age in year 7 and 8 at my school getting vapes from relatives and friends and vaping in school which causes many mental and physical health risks such as rapid onset coughing, nausea, lung diseases, depression and suicidal tendencies. Also, teachers, child carers, staff members who work with or near children and teens, who smoke or vape can expose the children to smoke and the chemicals in vapes.

Overall, our Australian Government needs to take action and make changes for the future Australian generations of children. Vaping must be banned.

From Our Heart to Yours

Reconciliation Tasmania recently launched From Our Heart to Yours –a collection of works from northern Tasmanian children in response to the Uluru Statement of the Heart.

Federal Member for Bass Bridget Archer who attended the official launch of the book said more than 100 local children contributed to the project.

“Children from across the region have created paintings, written letters and even songs resulting in a series of very moving and powerful pieces,” Mrs Archer said.

Bridget took a number of the books to Parliament House to present to members of all sides of the Parliament including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese,

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians Julian Leeser and Labor Senator and Aboriginal Elder Senator Pat Dodson.

The campaign began as an idea from Reconciliation Tasmania volunteer Bridie White in 2021. Bridie, together with other volunteers including Jess Murphy and Harley Russell and board member Georgie Crockett have worked tirelessly to turn the idea into a reality.

Key community projects to proceed

The Exeter Show and Recreation Centre and the Flinders Island Safe Harbour projects will go ahead after the Federal Government, in the October Budget, agreed to support a funding commitment secured by Federal Member for Bass Bridget Archer.

“Although I am disappointed that it did take Labor six months to commit to upholding the funding commitments I obtained in the March Budget for the projects, I welcome the decision nonetheless,” Mrs Archer said.

“After working closely with the Exeter Show Society for several years, I advocated for the much-needed development, securing $1.5 million in funding through the Community Development Grants.

“The project has demonstrated its merit and value and has received co-investment from the Tasmanian Government for $735,000, ensuring facilities are brought up to date for wider community use, particularly catering for the rise in female participation in sport.

“For Flinders Island, the $600,000 in additional funding will ensure the Safe Harbour project will finally get off the ground.”

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Bridget Archer MP with the Exeter Show Society

Bridget Archer MP presenting Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians Julian Leeser and Labor Senator Pat Dodson with their copies of From Our Heart to Yours

Federal Member for Bass Bridget Archer with 13 year-old Launceston student Hazel Doyle outside the Federation Chamber in Parliament House

Supporting Community Basketball

While basketball has long been a popular sport across the region, over the last few years participation in the sport has boomed even more.

In just the past year, membership has increased over 30% with the Launceston Basketball Association now representing more than 3000 players from almost 400 teams.

However, the increase in popularity has led to further pressure on sporting infrastructure to keep up with the demand.

Federal Member for Bass Bridget Archer has teamed up with administrators from the Launceston Basketball Association, coaches and players to highlight the pressing need for additional basketball courts in northern Tasmania.

“The lack of available court space is causing a number of challenges for the Association and its clubs,” Mrs Archer said.

Craig Gibson, President of the Launceston Basketball Association said the lack of court space is leaving the

Association with no choice but to schedule more games late at night or increasingly scheduling byes.

“Without additional courts, clubs will soon to be looking to introduce a cap on the number of teams within each club, leaving any new members unable to play in Launceston,” he said.

The Association has launched a petition calling on all three levels of government to further identify possibilities for an additional six courts while investing in the upgrades to the current facilities at Elphin Sports Centre.

Bridget intends to present the petition to the House of Representatives, and to other levels of government in 2023.

Members of the public can visit Bridget Archer’s office at 100 St John St, Launceston to sign the petition.

Star of the Sea LEGO Competition

The First LEGO League Challenge encourages students across the country to grow their research, problem-solving, coding and engineering skills through building and programming a LEGO robot that navigates the missions of a robot game.

Congratulations to the Star of the Sea students for earning an Engineering Excellence Award for their entry!

Get ready to ride

Almost 50 kilometres of world-class trails in George Town are available to mountain bike enthusiasts of all ages and abilities with the lower section of the Tippogoree Hills trails opening late last year.

The lower section of the Tippogoree Hills trail includes over 21 trails offering 35 kms of riding, catering for all skill levels, including family-friendly beginner trails (Green Circle) at the trail head in Lauriston Park, longer beginner descents accessible via the shuttle service, and even an “extreme” (Double-black Diamond) trail.

The Tippogoree Hills Trail Network complements the Mount George Trail Network and George Town Pump Track which have been operational for the past 12 months.

Federal Member for Bass Bridget Archer said the opening of the Tippogoree Hills trails is a significant step towards the completion of the Mount George Trail Network.

“After fighting for and securing the $4.4 million in funding at the 2019

federal election, it’s so exciting to see these trails ready for the public and just in time for the summer holidays,” Mrs Archer said.

“As a local, I have seen first-hand the overwhelmingly positive social and economic impact this project has had on the region which has positioned the trails as a key destination for mountain bikers of all levels.”

George Town Mayor Greg Kieser said the proximity of the trails from Launceston has been a major drawcard.

“George Town is less than one hour from Launceston, has an abundance of natural assets and attractions, and all the major services of an established town centre, making it an excellent choice for holiday goers wanting to visit Tasmania’s newest trail destination.” he said.

Signs site the way to Tippogoree Hills trail rides (Photo Credit: Rob Burnett)

Bridget Archer MP and Simon Wood MP join the Launceston Basketball Association in support of

for more courts. L-R: Local basketball players Kai Woodfall, Joe Chilcott, Annabelle Pyke, Olivia Gardner, Stephanie Gardner, Jag Morrison, Jonathan Pearse, Bridget Archer, Mitch Duhig and Emily Olendroswky from the Launceston Basketball Association, Simon Wood, Jack Smith, Brey Tuxworth, Charlie Purse, Lachie Mayes, Ben Lyndon, Max Lyndon, Aiden Gibson. Details page 7.