HOBART HAPPENINGS CALLING ALL PHOTOGRAPHERS! The Frank Hurley Photography Awards is an international competition to find the best in new photography. It honours the spirit and adventurous career of James Francis ‘Frank’ Hurley, OBE, best known for his Antarctic work with Douglas Mawson and Ernest Shackleton. The awards are presented by the Mawson’s Huts Foundation, of which David Jensen, AM is chairperson. “Frank Hurley was no stranger to Hobart, spending time here capturing images of the town before and after his two voyages to Antarctica with Mawson in 1911-13 and 1929-31,” David said. “His images of the Douglas Mawson’s ship the “Aurora” departing Hobart on December 2, 1911 and of members of Australasian Antarctic Expedition work on the waterfront are in the national archives and the Mitchell Library in Sydney.” By all accounts, Hurley made himself at home here in Hobart. “While Mawson used Hadley’s Hotel as his office, Hurley and other members of the expedition found accommodation elsewhere in Hobart and were very popular guests of the local community,” David shared. “Prior to the departure, Hurley spent days
photographing the city including views from Mt Wellington and of the team working on packing supplies on Queens Wharf which sadly burnt down years later. It’s hoped many Tasmanians will enter the Frank Hurley photo awards and help honour this great Australian.” www.frankhurleyphotoawards.com
HIKE YOUR WAY TO HAPPINESS Tasmanian Iconic Walks is gearing up for their third wilderness bush walking event in Tasmania, on 7 November 2020. After some concerns about what COVID-19 would do to the chances of running the event, the organisers have been celebrating the recent green light to hold the fundraising event on the beautiful Tasman Peninsula. In teams of four, walkers will traverse the Tasman Arch to Fortescue Bay trail, while raising money for Stroke Foundation (their charity of choice). Registrations open early this month, so it’s time to get fit, and get ready to take part in TIW’s award-winning fundraising hike. Sign up to their early bird email series at www.tasmanianiconicwalks.org
POKIE LOSSES SPIKE The Department of Treasury and Finance recently posted the figures for the days gaming venues were open in June once restrictions were lifted, from the 26 - 30 June. In five days, more than $2.6 million was put through the machines, about $525,000 a day. Independent Member for Nelson Meg Webb shared, “With even with fewer machines operating due to social distancing, this was a spike of more than 25% per day compared to March this year.” 6
RIVULET RUBBISH A few readers have told us of their concern about the amount of rubbish lining the Hobart Rivulet since the big downpour in June. The stretch from Cascade Brewery down to Hamlet Cafe is particularly bad. Let’s hope the poor ducks don’t get confused and choke on some plastic.
CHANGES TO UNDERAGE STRIP SEARCH RULES New recommendations about the potentially traumatic practice of stripsearching (or ‘personal searching’) children at reception prisons in Tasmania were put forward by the Commissioner for Children and Young People last year. “The Government has accepted, or accepted in principle, all of the Children’s Commissioners recommendations in relation to personal searches,” the Attorney-General, Elise Archer, shared with us. “The Tasmanian Government will consult on draft legislation later this year which will address the recommendations by the Children’s Commissioner.” We’re told they will remain committed to implementing any measures that will ensure the dignity and self-respect of children and young people in the custodial process, which is a step in the right direction.
ABSEIL THE EDGE IN 2020 The EDGE abseil is on again at Wrest Point on 6 September, for Father’s Day, fittingly named EDGE – Do it for Dad 2020. Participants scale 60m down Wrest Point tower to raise funds for the RHH Research Foundation. To register to abseil or donate to local medical research email research@rhhresearchfoundation.org
