This 4.079 ha property offers total privacy, 200 m of water frontage, & existing infrastructure including a 5 bedroom retreat & multiple buildings.
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It’s halfway through spring and we're making good use of the sunnier days and warmer weather (well, except for the wind!). Also making the most of the outdoors is Australian actor Erik Thomson. A familiar face from beloved shows like Packed to the Rafters, 800 Words, and All Saints, Erik recently made the move to Tasmania and is embracing what his new island home has to offer.
Also in this edition: meet some fascinating local people, enjoy loads of community and sport news, plus exciting new openings, and a full month’s worth of events from around the state.
We love hearing from our readers, so reach out at editor@thehobartmagazine.com.au if you have any feedback, questions, ideas or just want to say hey.
All the best, Steph, James and The Hobart/ Launceston Magazine team
Publisher Stephanie Williams editor@thehobartmagazine.com.au
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Cover main image: Erik Thomson. Pic: Supplied. Inset image: Jenna Chartrand. Pic: Melanie Kate.
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 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
Launceston-based acrobat, circus performer, and movement coach Conor Wild is a co-founder of ROOKE, a Tasmanian contemporary circus company. He's also the director/creator of Nimble, a new show touring Tasmania throughout October.
Where did you grow up and where do you live now? I was born in London. I spent my twenties touring the world as a circus artist. In 2015 I got a job with Circa and moved to Australia. It was there I met my wife, Freyja. After a few international adventures we’ve settled down in Launceston.
What disciplines do you specialise in and why are you drawn to them? I specialise in Chinese pole, soft acrobatics and group acrobatics. I’ve always been drawn to physical extremes, and the meeting place of grace and dynamism. I think all those disciplines speak to that. I like the physical and aesthetic purity of the human body in relation to the floor / a pole / another human. I also love falling; that moment of suspension - dancing with gravity and catching yourself, or someone else just before hitting the floor.
How did ROOKE begin and what does it set out to do? ROOKE began in 2021 when Tony Rooke brought together Lewie West, Mieke Lizotte, Freyja Wild and I. The five of us made Tony’s Imaginary Circus for Junction Arts Festival, and after five sold out shows we realised Tasmania was hungry for what we had to offer. We became a not-for-profit organisation and have now made seven original works, toured around the state and interstate. ROOKE lifts people up - pun intendedwe create works to inspire and uplift our audiences and our artists. We’re always striving to push the boundaries of contemporary circus as a form.
Nimble will tour Tasmania in October. What can people expect from the show? Nimble is cheeky, playful and full of heart. Three acrobats, a hula hoop, a roll of tape, more boxes than you’d expect and a very large jenga set make for a wild ride. There are moments of tension, hilari-
ty, tenderness, beauty and joy. You can expect acrobatics, balancing, hula-hooping and the highest stakes jenga game you’ve ever seen.
What’s your creative process when directing a live show like Nimble? I often start with a concept and/or a set or prop element, usually something quite simple - for Nimble it was boundaries and wooden blocks/boxes. I then explore a huge range of ideas and concepts around those things, first on my own, then with the artists, and begin to distill the best bits and see how they might fit together. I like to give the artists a lot of space to play and improvise early on, and to give them permission to really be themselves and put their personality into the work, as well as their skills. Once we’ve got the structure we work in, ask ‘why’ lots, try to smooth out transitions and hard edges, hone jokes, clarify rules and relationships. Play. Laugh. Ask ‘why’ some more.
What’s something you wish more people knew about circus? I think circus can be underestimated. It’s so much more than sequins, sawdust, smiles and skills, and has come far from the era of big tops and elephants. I wish more people knew what a rich, visceral and diverse form it is. I wish people knew that circus can move you, teach you and hold you. I can’t believe how often we get audience feedback that is so touching it gives me shivers.
Who do you admire? So many people, I’m so very lucky to have lots of wonderful friends who do amazing things on the daily. But I think top of the list is my wife, Freyja. She cares so much, and works so hard to make this world a better place.
Favourite podcast or tv show? I’m really enjoying the Diary of a CEO
podcast. Although my nerdy pleasure is Critical Role
Secret vice? Dungeons and Dragons.
What are you reading now? The Power and the Grace by Joanne Elphinston.
Do you have any pets? Nope. But when I was a kid I used to tell people who asked that we had flies…
What was your first job? I worked in a shop in an ice rink.
What are your daily news/social media habits? Very few. I try to stay off social media mostly.
Your favourite place for… Breakfast: I don’t eat breakfast, but I would recommend PSB for a morning coffee.
Lunch: Tatler Lane by Sweet Brew. Dinner: SmallGrain / Pachinko / Spice on Charles.
Dream holiday destination? I loved both Iceland and Japan and would love to go back. I’d also love to visit Vietnam.
Favourite Tasmanian secret? Well, that would be telling…
Parting words? Slow is smooth and smooth is fast.
Jenna is a professional coloured pencil fine artist, originally from Canada but now residing in Devonport and working in Latrobe. She specialises in hyper-realistic wildlife art.
Where did you grow up and where do you live now? I grew up in a small city called Fort St. John in Northern British Columbia, Canada. Devonport has been home for 10 years now though, and my art studio is based in Latrobe. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else!
What led you to become a full-time artist and open your own studio/gallery in Latrobe? I come from a blue-collar family in the oilfield, where I was raised to believe that if you want anything in life, you have to work incredibly hard for it. So, while I was always artistic, I became a graphic artist. Not only to scratch that creative itch, but also to have a stable income. And while I was good at it, deep down, I just wanted to create art. When COVID hit, like many people, I had a chance to look inwards, and I decided to go part-time as a designer and full-time into my art, to take a chance. I drew more, started doing markets, made prints, created a website—I learned it all from the ground up. Two years ago, a small, run-down space popped up for lease in Latrobe, and when I couldn’t stop thinking about it and talking about it, I knew I had to try to make it work. When I finally signed the lease and got the keys, I literally sat down on that studio floor and cried in a what-on-earth-have-I-done moment. Thankfully it’s gone well—a lick of paint, new flooring and a once vacant shop became my art studio, where I can create and people can wander in.
What draws you to animals as your main subject matter? I think we’re all drawn to wildlife in some way. It’s why we pull over on the side of the road to watch wildlife, why we slow down for an echidna crossing the road, or instinctively
yell “cow!” when we pass a paddock. Animals captivate us—they’re beautiful, wild and awe-inspiring. In today’s world, nature often feels so distant from our daily lives, almost separate from us. Through my artwork, I try to bridge that gap—to create moments of connection.
Your artworks are incredibly lifelike. Walk us through your creative process. If I’m not in the studio, I’m out in the bush. Birdwatching, hiking, 4WDing, fishing, hunting, camping, boating. I love it all. It’s amazing what you experience when you’re outside, especially here in Tassie, where nature is right on your doorstep. These experiences, and the stories that come with them, eventually find their way into my artwork. One of my recent pieces, Last Encounter, featuring the Tasmanian Tiger, began with weeks of research—reading, visiting museums and galleries, and listening to old bush tales shared by locals. From there, I pieced together sketches and created the final artwork: a large coloured pencil piece and the first in a planned series of three thylacines in their native Tasmanian habitats.
What can people expect to see at your studio? My gorgeous little art studio is in a late 1800’s heritage-listed building in Latrobe, and is full of my artwork, prints and giftware. You’ll often find me sitting in the corner in front of the windows working on my latest piece, but don’t hesitate to pop in, say hello, and ask questions! That’s why I opened the studio to the public: to share the art process and connect with others who love wildlife and creativity. My work can also be found on my website www.jennachartrand.com, in select shops around Tasmania, as well various markets including the Tasmanian Craft Fair.
Who do you admire? Dr. Jane Goodall, she’s always been a woman I’ve looked up to.
Favourite podcast or tv show? Greys Anatomy will always be my go-to for when I’m drawing—I know it all by heart now, I don’t even watch it!
Secret vice? A glass of Tasmanian whiskey in front of the fire. My current favourite drop is Wedding by Furneaux Distillery.
What are you reading now? Daughters of Olympus by Hannah Lynn.
Do you have any pets? Two English Springer Spaniels, Diesel and Moose.
What was your first job? At 13 I was a dishwasher at a local diner. Saturday morning 4:30am starts—that didn’t last very long!
What are your daily news/social media habits? I spend far too much time on Instagram, read ABC on the app every morning and watch local news every evening.
Your favourite place for…
Breakfast: Coffee and toast at the shack!
Lunch: The Truffledore in Lower Barrington.
Dinner: Home – my partner’s a cook, so I’m a tad spoiled.
Dream holiday destination? Antarctica!
Favourite Tasmanian secret? yingina/ Great Lake is one of my favourite places in Tasmania, and where you’ll often find me exploring if I’m not at the studio!
Parting words? Progress is quiet and slow.
The Hobart Town Hotel (87 Macquarie Street, Hobart), the ex-Tom McHugos space, has undergone a transformation. The historic 1851 pub is up and trading again, serving local beer and wine, meals, and good times. And it’s not the only old Macquarie Street pub with a new ‘lease’ on life. Hobart Brewing Co has taken over one of Australia’s oldest pubs, the Hope and Anchor (65 Macquarie Street, Hobart). Licensed since 1807, this’ll be another step in its storied history. Open now - expect classic pub vibes and food, with Hobart Brewing Co’s range of beers. Locally owned and utilising rare traditional brewing techniques, The Albert Brewery (73-75 Albert Road, Moonah) is a worthy visit for beer fans. This month, their Taproom is opening a beer garden with short mat bowls, kids’ outdoor
area, and fire pits. To get your protein smoothie and energy tea fix, give Shine Shoreline (Shop 12, 6 Shoreline Drive, Howrah) a go at Shoreline Plaza. This is their first Hobart shop after already cementing themselves in Launceston. They serve colourful drinks that are all about energy and hydration, from green tea and aloe vera to indulgent Biscoff protein smoothies. The historic town of Richmond has a brand new place for breakfast and lunch in Richmond Cafe and Providore (27 Bridge Street, Richmond). On weekends, they stay open in the evenings for a special seafood dinner. Kawandining Launceston (138 Charles Street, Launceston) is a new Southeast Asian restaurant in the CBD. “Kawan” means “friend”, and this restaurant aims to be suitably warm and welcoming. Plus, kids meals are free on Mondays. It’s official: the highly anticipated Hobart Lego Store
(38 Elizabeth Street, Hobart) will be taking the space formerly occupied by Rivers. Sitting on the corner of Elizabeth and Collins Streets in Hobart’s CBD, there’ll be heaps of foot traffic and nervous wallets. The Hobart Bike Kitchen workshop at the South Hobart Tip Shop has finally reopened. The not-for-profit co-op offers a ‘do it yourself’ workshop and education space, where volunteers will teach you how to fix and service your bike or make a new bike with spare parts. Menswear store Neil Pitt’s (70 Brisbane Street, Launceston) have left their space in The Majestic Theatre, which they’ve held since the 1970s, and have moved to the Old Brisbane Arcade.
All children in state government schools will soon have access to free breakfast thanks to a $6.5 million School Breakfast Program. The program expands on Variety Tasmania’s existing breakfast service, which operates in 40 schools across the state. When fully implemented, the program will be available for up to 50,000 students in all government schools over the next three years, with the first phase expected to begin in early 2026. This will be a relief for many families. All kids can enjoy toast, fruit, and a drink in either a dedicated space or delivered to their classroom, depending on how the school chooses to operate. There are all sorts of reasons kids miss out on breakfast or are hungry at school, whether it’s due to a household’s finances, having to rush out the door, or having to travel a long distance and become hungry again. Variety reports that a hungry student can lose one and a half to two hours a day of learning due to disengaging.
Hey old timers, Hobart recently overtook Adelaide as Australia’s oldest capital city. This was revealed by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), who reported that Hobart’s new median age of 39.3 years edged ahead of Adelaide’s 39.2 years, swapping positions for the first time since 2020. Also, Hobart is now the capital where women outnumber men the most. Sex ratio is the measure of the number of males for every 100 females, and Hobart is at 95.2.
Tulip selfies at Table Cape — 90% flowers, 10% accidental strangers.
Whale spotting in the Derwent.
Daylight savings kicking in again. Hello evening walks.
Brussels sprouts are underrated. Oven roast for best results!
The wind in spring.
Getting logged out of all your open tabs.
Respiratory illnesses.
Have a thumbs up or down you want to share? Send it to editor@thehobartmagazine.com.au
Hobart and Launceston have some new energy efficient buses roaming around. Part of Metro’s Zero Emission Bus (ZEB) Trial, there are three Hydrogen Electric Buses (HEB) operating routes in Hobart, and four Battery Electric Buses (BEB) in Launceston. The trials are gathering data to see what an energy-efficient future could look like for public transport in Tasmania, and will run for two years. The buses are labelled on the sides so you’ll know when you’re on one. And apparently you feel the difference as the buses run quieter. The hydrogen buses run on locally produced hydrogen, while the battery vehicles are fuelled by on-board batteries - neither produce exhaust or greenhouse gas emissions. The project is backed by state government funding to help hit their net zero emissions by 2030 goal.
It’s a good time to be a Hobart platypus. A huge litter and pollutant trap has been installed near the McRobies Gully tip to protect the health of the Hobart Rivulet and the platypus who call the waters home. The underground concrete chamber below the tip face captures litter before it finds its way into the rivulet. It’s made up of three cylinders and one diversion chamber, weighing collectively just under 45 tonnes, and capable of holding nearly 10 cubic metres of litter.
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Love trivia AND helping others? The Rotary Satellite Club of Sandy Bay, Battery Point has you sorted with their upcoming Quiz Night Fundraiser. On Wednesday 22 October, they’re hosting a quiz at Shambles Brewery (222 Elizabeth Street, Hobart). It’s the club’s first major fundraiser, and all proceeds will support two important causes. First is Dress for Success Tasmania – empowering women to achieve economic independence through professional attire, support, and development programs. And second is the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia – funding research and providing support services for families affected by prostate cancer. On the night there will also be raffles, auctions, prizes, and food and drinks available to purchase. Doors open at 6pm, quiz starts at 6:30pm. Tickets are $20 per person or $150 for a table of eight. For more information, or to register contact our event coordinator Koreena on 0424 362 411.
Soon there will be a secure way to donate mobile phones to go directly to domestic violence survivors. Secure collection boxes for donated mobile phones will be placed at four council sites across town after councillors voted in favour of the plan. Hobart City Council is partnering with national charity DV Safe Phone, which refurbishes old phones and distributes them for free through women’s refuges, police stations and other support services. Deputy Lord Mayor Zelinda Sherlock put forward the motion, saying it would help people whose phones had been destroyed or monitored by perpetrators, cutting them off from vital support networks. Each safe phone kit comes with a device, charger, starter SIM and initial credit. Collection boxes will soon be available at the Customer Service Centre, Town Hall, Mathers House and YouthARC.
Hobart green thumbs are helping to protect Tasmania’s alpine forests from climate change thanks to a new initiative called Backyard Biobanking by The Gondwana Project. Those who take part are creating a city-based ‘biobank’ of rare and iconic Tasmanian tree species. It was kicked into action when Harry Lush, Director at The Gondwana Project, gave away hundreds of plants at a Hobart Brewing Co. event in August, then again in September. People took home one free alpine tree from a collection of rare and iconic species including pencil pines, King Billy pines, myrtle beeches and Huon pines. The project was made possible by the Youth Climate Action Fund. “The core aim of our Backyard Biobanking project is to create an urban refuge for threatened alpine trees and plants of Tasmania’s mountains and rainforests,” Harry said. “We want to enlist Hobart gardeners in the care of these plants so that in times of need we can call on them to donate seeds, cuttings or samples for research or to help reforest wilderness areas scorched by climate induced wildfires.” As well as picking up a free alpine tree people can learn how to care for them. Head to The Gondwana Project’s Facebook page or website at www.thegondwanaproject.org to learn more.
Vet visits can be expensive, putting people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness in a difficult position if they have an animal companion they need help with. That’s where Pets in the Park comes in. They’re a national charity that operates free monthly pop-up veterinary clinics in Hobart and Launceston. In Hobart, they’re held at Mathers House on the first Saturday of every month from 1:30pm to 3:30pm. In Launceston, they take place at Gateway Baptist Church on the third Sunday of every month from 2pm to 3:30pm.
We’ve reached a milestone in the container deposit scheme: Tasmanians have returned over 30 million containers since Recycle Rewards was launched on 1 May. One million were returned within the first four days. Devonport is currently Tasmania’s number one refund spot, followed by Claremont and Cove Hill in the south and Mowbray and Meadow Mews in the north.
Ever been stressed out trying to find a car park in Hobart? Many have. Hopefully, worrying whether you’ll get a park or not in the city will be a thing of the past thanks to a brand new live parking map showing real-time availability across the city. Park My Ride shows availability across nearly 2,000 on-street parks and multi-storey car parks. It updates every 15 seconds, and includes over 40 accessible bays. It also shows how long you stay in each park. Access it at www.parkmyride. au. Remember to not use your phone while driving - plan ahead or ask a passenger to check.
Hooners and dangerous drivers, along with putting lives at risk, are setting themselves up for a clamping. In an effort to increase road safety, Tasmania Police have rolled out new wheel clamps across the state. The clamps are specialised locking devices that fit to a vehicle’s steering wheel, preventing driving. Southern Road Policing Services Acting Inspector Rebecca Sulman said the use of wheel clamps ensures that drivers caught driving in a reckless or dangerous manner can face immediate karma for their actions. “If police choose, vehicles can be clamped then and there on the side of the road,” she said. In 2024-25, Tasmania Police clamped 175 vehicles, including 60 that were clamped specifically for the offence of hooning. More than 100 of those drivers had their vehicles clamped for 28 days. 21 cars were clamped for nine months due to more serious offending, while 19 were clamped indefinitely. Other offences that warranted a clamping included three for dangerous and reckless driving, 23 for disqualified driving, 49 for non-aggravated police evasion, 22 for aggravated police evasion, and 16 for speeding in excess of 45km/h. Tas Police data shows a 22 percent increase in the number of traffic offenders caught in the most recent financial year, compared with the previous year. If you see hooning or dangerous driving, report it to police on 131 444 or triple zero (000) if there is an emergency or life-threatening situation.
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Burnie’s first Youth2Independence (Y2I) facility has opened, providing affordable supported accommodation to help young people facing major challenges to create their own future. The facility can support up to 26 people. The Y2I program is supported by Homes Tasmania, whose CEO Eleri Morgan-Thomas said young people can be particularly vulnerable to homelessness as they move towards adulthood.
“Family violence and family breakdown are the leading causes of youth homelessness that cause significant harm, and they disrupt education, the transition to employment and the development of life skills and social networks,” she said.
“Evidence shows that young people facing homelessness can change their lives if they have accommodation, support and access to education and employment.”
The Burnie site is Y2I’s fifth facility for the state, with the others in Launceston, Devonport, and two in Hobart. “In the last year, 83 per cent of young people in the Y2I program achieved an employment outcome during their stay,” Ms Morgan-Thomas said.
Loui’s Van, the St Vincent de Paul Society’s food relief outreach vehicle, is on the lookout for new volunteers to join the team as they relocate to their new home in Glenorchy in the coming months. The van is run by dedicated volunteers four days a week, providing food and company to those in need. If you have the time to help out, email volunteer@vinniestas.org.au or buzz 6234 4244.
Spring is one of the best times of the year to see migratory whales passing Tasmania, so we reached out to Dr Virginia Andrews-Goff, a marine mammal research scientist at the Australian Antarctic Division, to learn more.
Tell us a bit about what you do. I specialise in cetacean movement ecology. This basically means I spend time understanding whale movement, generally via a combination of satellite tags and spatial analyses and often relative to characteristics of the environment and overlap with threats.
Which whales pass through Tasmania in spring? In spring, humpback whales are migrating southwards towards Antarctica where they will spend the austral summer gorging themselves on krill. Some hang around off the coast of Tassie for weeks (some for months), snacking on small fish and coastal krill along the way. There are lots of mother-calf pairs and those humpback young are particularly acrobatic and fun to watch.
Where's your favourite place in Tasmania for whale spotting?
The Tasman Peninsula is a fabulous spot to see humpback whales migrating south, especially around October and November. Obviously, getting out on the water is ideal but you can easily spot blows from shore looking out to sea from Eaglehawk Neck. If you happen to get on the water and have a camera handy, the underside of the whale tail (fluke) is unique to each humpback whale and is a great way to understand how humpbacks are using our waterways. Be sure to lodge any fluke photos with the Tasmanian Whale
Fluke Project at www.facebook.com/ Tasmanian.fluke.project.
What’s something you wish more people knew about whales? Australia’s humpback whales are one the greatest conservation success stories. Since the International Whaling Commission banned whaling, our humpback whales have recovered at a rate that is about as fast as is biologically plausible. However, other species haven’t rebounded so well. After initially showing positive signs of recovery, the productivity of Australia’s southern right whale population off south west Australia has plateaued and may be declining and we still only have a few hundred southern right whales that visit Australia’s south east.
What are you working on at the moment? I am focused on developing a pneumatic drone-based platform to biopsy sample and satellite tag large whales. A drone-based system would offer a safer, more efficient way of working on whales in challenging environments, like the Southern Ocean. I am also working on satellite tag derived movements of southern right whales. These amazing, endangered whales visit our shores during the winter, sometimes with a calf in tow. When they’re not here, they move through a huge area across the Southern Ocean undertaking a roughly circular migration from east to west (and back again).
A recent trip to Queenstown saw the Parks and Wildlife Service Biosecurity team, the Tasmanian Herbarium, Biosecurity Tasmania, and local rangers carry out weed mapping and surveys to gain a clearer picture of the current extent of weed spread. During the survey, five new and emerging weed species were identified on the West Coast. One of these, Lawson’s Cypress (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana), was confirmed as being established in Tasmania for the first time. PWS Biosecurity Coordinator Phil Mehlert said this highlights the importance of working together to monitor these emerging threats, responding quickly to manage them, and raising public awareness to help minimise their impact on the west coast.
The 2025 National Drowning Report from Royal Life Saving Australia has been released, revealing Tasmania as one of only two states to show improvement, with an 11 percent decrease on its 10-year average. There were eight drowning deaths recorded in Tasmania over the past year. Almost two-thirds involved people aged 55 and over, the majority occurred in rivers and creeks, and 88 percent of victims were male. Nationally, 357 drowning deaths were reported in the past 12 months, which is a 27 percent increase on the 10-year average. The highest rates were among people aged 75 and older. The report also highlights ongoing inequities in drowning rates, with deaths twice as likely among people in the most disadvantaged areas, and nearly three times more likely in regional and remote communities compared to major cities. Royal Life Saving says the findings reflect the consistent and traumatic nature of drowning.
Tasmanian tour guide Cat Davidson has won Australia’s Top Tour Guide for 2025 at an awards ceremony in Canberra. Cat is from Inala Nature Tours on Bruny Island and in July won the inaugural Tassie Tour Guide Award. She specialises in Tasmania’s wildlife and connecting people to nature through storytelling. Well done, Cat!
The Australian Cross Country Championships took place in Ballarat recently. Tasmania secured a gold medal thanks to the efforts of Archie Dixon, who took out the 3km Para Athletics Under 17 Men National Cross Country title. There were a number of different races split into lengths, ages, and genders, in which the very best cross country athletes in Australia competed. Tasmania shone in some other places too, including Ruby Smee’s fourth place in the 10km Women race, Clover Viney’s fifth place in the 2km Under 11 Women, and Jonty Walsh’s 16th place in the 3km Under 12 Men. Efforts from all Tasmanian athletes are to be commended, as they’re literally the fastest in the country!
South Hobart Football Club (SHFC) will represent Tasmania in the inaugural 2025 Australian Championship, a national second-tier competition launched by Football Australia in between A-League (national level) and NPL (local state-based). The club secured its place after winning the 2025 NPL Tasmania Premiership in late August. SHFC will be one of 16 clubs who will participate in a six-game group stage format - three home, three awaybetween 10 October and 16 November. By bridging the gap between the NPL and A-League, it gives a national platform for clubs like South Hobart. “As a group we’re really excited to represent Tasmania in the Australian Championships. We’ve put in countless hours of work to win the league, and now having the chance to test ourselves on the national stage is something we’re really proud of,” said Head Coach Max Clarke. The home games will take place at D’Arcy Street Oval on 12 October at 1pm against Wollongong Wolves, 9 November at 1pm against Marconi Stallions, and 16 November at 1pm against Heidelberg United.
There’s an online petition up at the moment asking the Hobart City Council and state government to look into repairing the North Hobart Skate Park. According to the petition, the park is suffering from cracks, a lack of lights and shelter, and outdated obstacles among other things. Notably, the park is used by She Shreds, a not-for-profit that supports girls’ participation in skateboarding, and the petition asks for appropriate facilities to support them - including a storage room, bathrooms, appropriate lighting, and undercover areas to allow use of the park in wet weather. This is timely, as She Shreds will be forced to leave their shed in Melville Street next year, as the premises are up for sale by the University of Tasmania. You can sign the petition and learn more about why it’s important at www.change.org/p/petition-to-upgradethe-north-hobart-ec-skatepark.
Netball Tasmania’s team recently won the bronze medal in the First Nations Tournament, an annual highlight of the national netball calendar. The tournament featured under-23 aged teams made up of First Nation netballers from every state and territory competing across five days of competition. It took place at Jubilee Park Stadium in Frankston, Victoria. While NSW came first and Queensland second, the Lutruwita / Tasmania team claimed bronze in an impressive showdown against Victoria, 35-25. Well done, team.
Three Tasmanian siblings have done the impossible and learnt to share, each earning their place on the state team at the Australian Pickleball Masters Cup National Final. After battling through a 10-week league, Anne Westell, Don Ryan and Chris Ryan all secured a spot in their respective age divisions: Anne in the Over 70s category, Don in the Over 60s, and Chris in the Over 50s. Robecca Sinclair, President of Pickleball Tasmania, said, “To have three siblings qualify across three different age groups is virtually unheard of.” The siblings competed at the National Final in Queensland on 27-28 September, joined by another 10 Tasmanians.
Works have commenced on major upgrades for the Royal Park Skate Park in Launceston. The new design will extend the skate area and introduce new features, including: quarter pipes, rails, and ledges to cater for all skill levels, an upgraded entry space with improved spectator seating and shade shelter, new rubbish bins, a drinking fountain, and clear entry signage. The park is closed to the public while works are underway, until its expected reopening in December 2025.
Prison is often a noisy, chaotic place. Yet at Risdon Prison, set near bushland and close to the Risdon Brook Dam, the sounds of nature still manage to break through. The raucous calls of Sulphur-crested Cockatoos and Masked Lapwings fill the sky, while the distinctive honk of Native Hens and the twitters of Superb Fairy-wrens echo through the grounds. In the confined world of prison, birds can become powerful symbols of freedom, resilience, and transformation.
It’s fitting then that this year’s Artists with Conviction exhibition is celebrating its 15th anniversary with the theme Jail Birds. Held at Hobart’s Good Grief Studios, an artist-run space, the exhibition showcases artwork and writing by individuals connected to the Tasmania Prison Service - including prisoners, parolees, those on community correction orders, and Department of Justice staff.
Visitors to the exhibition will experience will experience a diverse range of creative works including poetry, paintings, drawings, sculpture, and woodwork crafted by inmates. Many artworks are for sale, with all proceeds going directly to the artists. Awards will be presented for both visual art and writing, judged by Tasmanian authors and members of the local arts community.
A standout feature of this year’s show is A Gentle Serpent - a giant knitted sculpture perched on two-metre-tall knitting needles made from sustainable Tasmanian timber. Created in the men’s knitting workshop Great Balls of Fibre, the piece is a collaborative effort led by volunteer Sam Leishman. “It’s been
amazing to see our serpent grow each week,” Sam shared, “with contributions from prisoners and staff members. It’s a great collaborative piece, and the knitting needles seem to bring it to life!”
The exhibition also includes poems written by prisoners published in a tome and scattered throughout the gallery for visitors to take home. Artists inside have also been working on anonymous ‘Tiny Books’ offering an insight into individuals beyond their offending. These miniature works are nestled in a giant nest made from leaves gathered near the prison, blending creativity with the natural environment.
Opening night will feature a live performance of a hip hop track recorded by local artists Hermit Kovacic and RooBoy, in collaboration with inmates through the Bars
Behind Bars music program. This initiative has transformed the Risdon Prison gym into a recording studio, where participants engage in writing and recording workshops—giving voice to personal stories through rhythm and rhyme. Sharing personal stories through art takes courage. Art in prison is more than just creative expression—it’s a powerful tool for transformation, emotional healing, building confidence and a sense of achievement. Through art and writing programs, prisoners can develop new skills, reconnect with their identities, and find purpose.
Artists with Conviction: Jail Birds runs from 8–20 November at Good Grief Studios, 62 Argyle Street, Hobart. The gallery is open daily from 10am–4pm. All are welcome.
MONDAY
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Got a young one on school hols keen to dance?
DRILL Performance
Co host a Spring Fresh Moves workshop today for 9-12-year-olds, Lindisfarne Masonic Hall, 10am-1pm.
Swap recipe books and seeds from the seed library at St Lukes wellness hub in Elizabeth Street. Mon-Fri 9am-5pm all month. Or at 10am-11am, join Felicity Ryan’s ballet class for seniors
WEDNESDAY TUESDAY
Visit Narryna Heritage Museum for Rebellious, Resourceful and Resilient, a tour about the convict women staff of the colonial home. 10:30am, book ahead.
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Dive in with the Tasman Ocean Group Swimmers Dip or Swim today at Stewarts Bay, Port Arthur, from 8:15am. Open to all, with refreshments afterwards.
THURSDAY FRIDAY
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Hannah Ferguson, co-founder of Cheek Media, wades into the mess of the world with her live show Everything is F*cked. The Odeon, doors open 6:45pm. Best for 15+.
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The Hobart Twilight Market is back for the season at Long Beach, Sandy Bay. Food, drinks, creative gifts and live music from 4:30pm-9pm. Dog friendly.
Forest bathe during a mindful nature connection walk with Kara Spence from Nature. Be in it. Waterworks Reserve, Ridgeway, 4pm or 6pm, naturebeinit.com.
Join a guided walk and talk of historic Richmond followed by homemade morning tea. 10am at the gaol carpark, but book first via trybooking.com. Later, a discussion on Ageing Well at Home, UTAS’ Sir Stanley Burbury Theatre and online. 6pm. 17 16 13 14 15
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Discover the joy of printmaking and make your own stamp that can be used over and over. Bring an item of cotton or linen to print on. 11am, The Pear Shed Galley, White Beach.
27
Catch one of Japan’s most talked-about jazz groups, Banksia Trio, fresh from the Melbourne International Jazz Fest, at Rosny Barn from 7-9pm.
28
Learn to cook three specialty Greek dips (tzatziki, skordalia and taramasalata) at Amalia Pantazis’ cooking workshop, 2pm-3:30pm at Kingborough Community Hub.
Discover how the South has been mapped across the centuries at the Southern Frontiers Conference: Mapping Myths and Realities at Mona, 9am6pm today and tomorrow.
4
See Sharka Bosakova’s mini jewellery exhibition Carry Less, Create More - Any Way, Shape or Form, viewable 24/7 at the Lightbox at the main entrance to the Salamanca Arts Centre.
Author Trent Dalton is here celebrating new book Gravity Let Me Go. 6pm at the Theatre Royal. Also The Adventure Reels Tour brings action sport films to Village Cinemas, 6:30pm.
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Happy Hobart Show Day, it’s at the Hobart Regatta Grounds till the 25th. Also, Al Jardine, founding member of the Beach Boys, will perform the band’s classic hits at Wrest Point tonight.
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You are amazing, he is amazing, he’s Alex Lloyd and he’s at Wrest Point tonight from 8:30pm.
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Tassie artist Anne Morrison presents her latest exhibition, Holdfast, at Despard Gallery. The new works are inspired by the estuaries and bushlands near her Forth home. Until Nov 8.
As we approach the bushfire season, Glenorchy Library is hosting a pop up Emergency Preparedness event for people living with disabilities. Come in anytime between 2pm and 4pm.
Bell Shakespeare Co brings the tragedy of the star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet, to the Theatre Royal today and tomorrow.
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BOO! Happy Halloween! Get your trick or treat on, if you observe.
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Comedian Daniel Connell’s show Box-Headed Manbaby takes over The Clubhouse at Hobart Brewing Co. from 5:30pm.
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Enjoy Night at the Point, three summery evenings of outdoor musicJon Stevens, PNAU and Delta Goodrem headline.
SATURDAY SUNDAY
The Historical Arms and Military Society of Tasmania Fair is on this weekend, 332 Main Rd Glenorchy. Tasmanian Fashion Festival opens tonight, also tomorrow 9:30am-4pm, PW1.
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Hobart’s biggest biannual book sale, Bookfest, will have tonnes of preloved books, games and more at the Sea Scout Hall, Sandy Bay, 9am2pm. Watch South Hobart Football Club take on Wollongong Wolves at Darcy Street, 1pm.
18 October
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The Warrane Community Garden hosts their festival with live music, workshops, kids things, tomatoes galore and a scarecrow exhibition. 9:30am-12:30pm.
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Recycled Recreation’s
Sandy Bay garage sale fundraiser for the Tasmanian Land Conservancy is on today (and the 18th), with items from $1. Info on the shop’s Facebook page.
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To celebrate Down Syndrome awareness month, enjoy Spring Fling at Moonah Arts Centre tonight from 6pm-9:30pm, details at Trybooking. com. Lutruwita Animation Festival, hits the State Cinema too.
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Celebrate classic motorsport at Baskerville Raceway’s annual fundraiser, the Baskerville Historics 31 Oct - 2 Nov, Old Beach. The Knocklofty Knockers Enduro trail run is on today too.
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The World's Strongest Tasmanian gets sorted out today. Witness the ultimate showdown of strength. 9am-6pm, Castray Esplanade.
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The Tasmanian Chamber Music Festival continues today across Hobart, with Australia's finest chamber ensembles and solo artists.
2
Enjoy the Tarremah Steiner School Spring Fair and Open Day from 10am-3pm, Huntingfield. Australia take on India in the third match of the Men’s T20l cricket series at Bellerive Oval today, tickets and info on Ticketek.
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Enjoy the best little country show - the Brighton Show is a traditional agricultural show, a glimpse of rural life in Tassie. 9am-4pm, Pontville.
Coinciding with the NORTH Festival, meet the makers and graze through the region’s best fresh produce at the Taste the Tamar celebration of local wine, food and music. 11:30am-6:30pm, Exeter Showgrounds. Kids under 16 free.
24 October
Devil's Corner Vineyard will host pirates, wenches, mermaids, and sailors at The Resolution Shipwreck Ball to celebrate Great Eastern Wine Week. It’s a fun night out with a high energy Irish band, drinks, food, and even a tarot reader. 6:30pm-9:30pm.
26 October
Young Tasmanians can learn the secrets to writing killer horror stories with author Maree Kimberley at a free workshop, Jump Scares and more. For 12-18 year-olds at Launceston Library this afternoon.
1 November
The Caledon Crawl sees runners take on an 800m race with 100m gain through the vineyard this afternoon - described as similar to the Balmoral Burn in Sydney, but with more grapes. With options for the serious and not-so-serious runners, finish off with live music, food vans and, of course, wine at the cellar door. More info at raceroster.com
1-2 November
It’s Open House week, and this year the program goes beyond Hobart to include interesting and unique buildings in parts of the Southern Midlands. The free annual architecture program will let members of the public into specific private homes and historic buildings in Oatlands, Kempton and Mangalore. openhousehobart.org
Background
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Kids can bring their favourite teddy, doll, or plush and practice simple first aid skills on them at a Teddy Bear Hospital, held at the St John Ambulance building in Mowbray. 10am-11:30am.
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A passionate naturalist, Chris Bell has been photographing wild places and wild things for over 30 years. See an exhibition of his work, called Traces, at QVMAG. Free entry.
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Drop in after school for all things Lego at Devonport Library’s Lego Club, for ages seven plus. Free to attend. 3:30pm.
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Terrapin’s new family puppet show Feathers is coming to Launceston’s Earl Arts Centre at 2pm and 6pm today. See fantastic puppetry at work as a lonesome ferret looks for his flock.
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Preschoolaged kids and their families can bring their favourite teddy to Apricus, a farm and restaurant in Launceston, for a Teddy Bear’s Picnic. Bookings essential, grazing box included.
21
Led by local artist Lee-Anne Peters, join the monthly Pencil Drawing Group at Harmony on High Street, Campbell Town. Beginners welcome - just show up. 1pm-3pm every third Tuesday.
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A magical musical for the family, Beauty and the Beast Jr is based on the Disney classic and brought to life by Launceston’s youth theatre scene. Princess Theatre, 6:30pm, with two shows tomorrow.
3
Bell Shakespeare’s acclaimed production of Romeo and Juliet comes to Tassie. Tonight, Launceston’s Princess Theatre hosts the most famous love story ever told. 7:30pm.
4
Celebrate the Melbourne Cup with a pre-race luncheon at Boatyard Launceston. Enjoy three courses and a glass of sparkling on arrival. Bookings essential. 12pm-3pm.
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The NORTH Festival hits
Launceston until the 22nd. Food, drink, fun experiences, workshops, live music, and meet the maker events will all be on the agenda.
15
Head to Launceston
Planetarium for a 1pm screening of We Are Guardians, an immersive experience about the ecosystem, from bacteria to whales. Family friendly.
22
Girls Only Skateboarding is a new weekly event at the Ulverstone Skate Park organised by Skate of Mind. Girls and women of all ages are invited to join. Free, register online. 4pm-6pm.
5
Come along to Launnie Monthly Storytelling at Du Cane Brewery. Sit, have a drink and pizza if you choose, and listen to a wide range of stories from fellow strangers. 6pm start.
Contemporary circus company ROOKE is touring Tasmania throughout the month with their family-friendly show, NIMBLE. Today, they play Ross Town Hall at 5:30pm.
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One of Tassie’s most unusual festivals, The Unconformity is a contemporary arts event that delves into the unique character of Queenstown with site-specific cultural experiences. Until the 19th.
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Mudlark Theatre presents Wittenoom at Launceston’s Earl Arts Centre until the 26th, a regional Australian story about a close-knot community and uncomfortable truths. 7:30pm tonight.
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Hear from some of Tasmania’s best wordsmiths at the Tasmanian Poetry Festival, until the 12th. There’ll be events throughout Launceston including performances, readings, and competitions.
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Eat, drink, and experience NORTH By Night, a four-day food festival taking over Launceston. Meet the makers, dine with the brewers, and taste the North. 16-19th.
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Take in the Huon Valley Studio Art Trail until 26 October, with open studios dotted around the far south, Dover, Grove and Cygnet surrounds.
Experience Halloween at Don River Railway, where the SeaFM Carnival of Horrors offers spooky train rides, interactive scares, eerie haunted attractions and theatrical effects. Until 2 November.
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Happy Halloween! Enjoy spooktacular parties across the island, from a Latin Halloween DJ set at Lonnies Nightclub Launceston, or catch a scary rock show at Devonport RSL.
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The Moonbird Festival returns to celebrate King Island until the 9th, combining art, science and conservation, including guided nature walks, local food and intimate performances.
SATURDAY SUNDAY
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The Wynyard Tulip Festival returns for a one-day celebration of the season at Gutteridge Gardens. The schedule includes performance artists, a street full of food vans, and 9pm fireworks.
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Held at the Longford Showgrounds, the Longford Show is a fun day out for the family with sideshows, sheep, silky chickens, showbags, show dogs, and equestrian events. 9am-4pm.
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Penguin’s Main Road becomes the setting for the Penguin 150 Street Party, bringing the community together for live music, open bar, food vendors, street art, fireworks and more.
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Car enthusiasts, there’s a Porsche car display at the Porsche Torque Tas, held at National Automobile Museum of Tasmania in Invermay. 10:30am to 12:30pm.
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Catch a live-captured screening from London’s West End of new play Inter Alia, starring Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl fame), at Earl Arts Centre Launceston, 2pm.
West Coast Heritage & Minerals Fair (8-9 November) Up to 80 traders of gems and minerals set up shop in Zeehan’s Gaiety Theatre for you to view, trade, and buy. The West Coast Heritage Centre open day coincides with the fair just up the road, where there’ll be blacksmith demonstrations, children’s entertainment, live music, and food vendors.
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Comedian Wil Anderson brings his completely improvised show to Launceston at Du Cane Brewery, 9:15pm. Made with the people in the room, the show will never be repeated.
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The Launnie Marketwhich is held monthly between August and December - comes to the School of the Arts in Invermay, with both outdoor and indoor stalls. 9am-1pm.
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Held over three days across Deloraine, the Tasmanian Craft Fair includes all types of art and craft and is a fun day out for families, home decorators, and craft enthusiasts.
Bicheno Food and Wine Festival (15 November) One of Bicheno’s biggest events returns for a one-day beachside bash on the shores of Waubs Bay. Award-winning Tasmanian wine, local brews and spirits, tasty food from local producers, and live music are what this festival is all about.
Titanic: The Ship of Dreams (22 November) Presented by The Ballet School Launceston, this is a new ballet adaptation that brings to life the historic 1912 sinking of the RMS Titanic. Through choreography, music, and visual design, the ballet aims to capture the elegance of the ship’s maiden voyage and the emotions of its tragic end. Expect lavish costumes, immersive staging, and stirring performances.
Highlands BushFest (22-23 November)
This Bothwell festival is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages. There’ll be family-friendly activities, live demonstrations, and speeches from outdoor industry experts. From hunting and fishing tips and tanning displays, to whip crackers and meat smoking. Try your hand at salami making or simply enjoy the food vendors. Gold coin donation to get in.
Got an event coming up in Tassie?
Email us at editor@thehobartmagazine.com.au
Background photo: Table Cape Tulip Farm. Pic: Tourism Australia Details subject to change. Check the finer points with individual events.
As an actor with a varied career spanning decades, Erik has become an iconic figure in Australian TV and film, with roles like Packed to the Rafters making him a household name. Now, he’s embracing island life after having recently moved to Tasmania.
You star in Kangaroo Island, a new Australian film that hit cinemas last month. What attracted you to the role? I was sent the script and I really loved it. It’s dramatic, but with enough humour weaved through it that it keeps things light. I’m really, really proud of it and it’s getting a great opportunity to be seen. Also, I lived in South Australia for about 20 odd years. I spent a lot of time on Kangaroo Island, and I’d always thought it would be a really fantastic place to set a film. When this came along it was a perfect coincidence, and I had the best time. It’s one of those places you really need to go to. I described it once as being like somebody’s gone to the outback, carved a bit out of it, and dropped it in the Southern Ocean.
You act on both the stage and the screen. Do you have a preference? Both have their appeal. The stage is more of an actor’s medium because once the curtain comes up, no one can say cut, no one can tell you what to do. You’re very much in control of your performance in the hours you’re performing. You also have a long rehearsal period, so you get an opportunity to get under the skin of the character. The downside is traditionally the money isn’t good and the hours are difficult. Film is much more a producer’s, editor’s, and director’s medium. But what’s great about it is you go to some
really amazing places to shoot, like Kangaroo Island. So both of them have their pros and cons. But honestly, I don’t care what I do as long as the work’s good and I’m working with good people.
What’s something you wish more people knew about being an actor?
During COVID, everyone was so unsure about what was going to happen next. Welcome to the life of an actor! Currently I’m not working, but I’m not sitting around by the phone waiting for it to ring. I’m surfing on Tassie's east coast, seeing friends, and meeting people. As actors, we reflect society and we reflect the world we live in. So living is research. A lot of people think acting is very insecure, and it is. But one thing everyone does is watch TV and go to the movies. It’s an incredibly popular pastime for many. We do have value.
Who has been your favourite character to play? I think they’ve all been good, but I really enjoyed being Dr. Mitch Stevens on All Saints. I did 175 episodes of that over four years. I got to spend a lot of time with him and I really loved his approach to medicine and life. He was a bit of a cowboy, but he had a solid gold heart.
What would you have done if you didn’t become an actor? I probably would’ve been a teacher. Part of me wishes that I’d done that and then become an actor, then I would’ve had a nice little cash cow doing relief teaching when the acting wasn’t happening.
Why Tasmania? Well, I had a marriage breakdown and I’d always loved Tassie. Then I met someone down here, and I came to see them and be with them. And I decided to stay. I was born in Scotland and raised in New Zealand, but lived in Australia. I think Tasmania has all three of those countries in one. It’s got the climate and feel of Scotland, the beautiful greenness of New Zealand, and yet it’s
Australian and it’s got a very Australian history. I feel very comfortable here.
What do you like to get up to on a day off? As we speak I’m heading up the east coast to go surfing in Bicheno. I’ve got a boat, so I get out on the Derwent. My partner’s family has a place in Randalls Bay, so I spend a bit of time there, and I’ve got family up in the Midlands. So we get around quite a bit. We don’t sit in Hobart all the time — though I’m quite happy to sit in Hobart because I really enjoy it as a city. We tend to head away and enjoy the jewels that Tassie has.
What are your favourite local places to grab a bite? There’s a little place called Willing Wine Bar in North Hobart that’s a favourite. Beautiful meals, low key, a nice intimate space. Boodle Beasley, also in North Hobart, has a great beer garden that you can take your pets to. We go to the State Cinema quite a lot. It’s a great little cinema. That’s where we had the Q&A for Kangaroo Island, which was my suggestion to the producers.
Will we see you in a Tasmanian production sometime soon? Hopefully. There’s talk of a couple of plays that might happen next year or later. And hopefully there’ll be more film and television in Tassie that I can get involved in. I’d certainly love to work down here. It’s only a matter of time.
What’s next for you? There’s a few things circling around, but nothing solid. I’ve been busy recently though. I had a nice little cameo role in a Netflix series called My Brilliant Career and I was just on stage in Noosa in David Williamson’s newest play, Sleeping Dogs. I’ve had a busy couple of months. I’m back here now and very happily so.
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Awareness of perimenopause has grown in recent years, so we reached out to Launceston-based Dr. Natasha Vavrek to learn more about it and discover practical steps for women going through it. Dr. Vavrek is the Director at The Bubble Tasmania and a consulting specialist women’s GP.
What is perimenopause and how does it present? Perimenopause is the time before menopause and can start up to ten years before menopause does. 42 is about the average age perimenopause starts for women. 75 percent of women will experience hot flushes and night sweats, which can be extremely severe for one third of those women. In fact, one in eight of those women will have the symptoms for the rest of their lives. The other really common symptom is a change in mental health. Women will experience heightened anxiety, depressed mood, irritability, and rage. They’ll also notice a change in their period. They may notice their cycles are getting a bit shorter, the length of their period longer, and the heaviness may change. Or it might change in the other direction. There are many other symptoms as well. Joint aches and pains, tiredness and fatigue, dry and itchy skin, hair loss, vaginal dryness, and lowered libido. The list is long.
What’s the most random symptom you’ve heard of? Itchy ear canals!
What should women do if they think they’re starting to have these symptoms? The first thing is to talk to someone, usually a GP. A lot of GPs these days have really great education regarding menopause, which wasn’t a thing in the past. The idea is to get evidence-based advice. With this rise in knowledge about menopause, which is amazing, unfortunately we also have a lot of misinformation in the community that is not evidence-based. There are a lot of people
that are pushing supplements, lotions and potions. Things that are just going to waste people’s money.
What treatment options are out there, and does everyone need to be treated? Options can range from lifestyle - dietary and exercise - all the way to hormonal replacement therapy or menopause hormonal therapy (MHT). We have really great options these days that are safe, and it’s a matter of finding what works for you. Women shouldn’t be suffering in silence anymore. And not everybody will need treatment. 25 percent of women won’t even experience the hot flashes and night sweats. Some women will feel hot every now and then, but it’s manageable. I think it is important, though, for women entering their 40s and 50s to prioritise lifestyle. Eat a good varied diet and exercise. We know that dementia is the biggest killer of women in Australia, and the best combat that we have against dementia is exercise.
How have treatments changed over the years? Hormone therapy has come such a long way. Many decades ago it was horse urine! Before that doctors would play around with testicular juice. What we’ve seen in the last 20 years is this progression into body identical hormones, which are very safe and effective, and not synthetic. There’s less side effects and risks which means better outcomes for patients. I think that’s the thing most people are afraid of. Breast cancer is one of those big risks that everybody is worried about. That came to the forefront over 25 years ago with the release of the Women’s Health Initiative study where there was this big misinterpretation of data, where hormone therapy was thought to increase or cause breast cancer. In truth, risks are mild for women under 60, and slightly higher for over 60, but not in the way that it was represented in the media. Women who drink two glasses of wine per night have a greater risk of breast cancer than someone on hormone therapy.
Perimenopause seems to be a more public phase of life now. Why do you think that is? I think it’s because we’re talking more about it. When I started
working in this space a decade ago, no woman would come in for a menopause consult. In fact, if you brought it up, they would instantly say no to hormones. Five years ago, I still had to convince women that MHT is safe and effective. Fast forward to now, menopause consults are the most common presentation to the clinic, and women come in wanting the hormones. Social media is wonderful in getting that information out, and women talking to their friends and work colleagues. I have women coming in that were sent by their daughters or husbands who have read about it. I think that’s wonderful. Women that take this treatment can feel like themselves again in just a matter of weeks to months.
How can partners and loved ones help out? Showing an interest is really important. I love it when partners come along to the appointment, because they want to learn about what’s going on in their partner’s body. This is not something that women make up. It’s real. I think understanding that is the first part, and then going on that journey with their partner.
What are your top tips for women experiencing perimenopause? Lifestyle is really important. It’s not just about taking tablets, gels or patches. It is ensuring that we exercise and eat well. Reduce alcohol, cut back and ideally stop smoking. The second top tip is to talk to someone. Find a GP that works in this space, because the more educated you are, the better equipped you’re going to be. My third top tip is if you are suffering, don’t be afraid of hormones. We’ve come a long way and there’s a lot of safety behind them. If you’re not sure about that, then talking to a GP about that data and breaking down the science to understand it can really help you go a long way.
The recently released June quarter reports from the Real Estate Institute of Tasmania (REIT), the state’s peak real estate body, gives insights into the state’s property market during April, May, and June of this year. REIT revealed that this quarter was Tasmania’s strongest results over the past 12 months. While prices remained relatively stable, sales numbers went up 7.5 percent over the quarter. The other major highlight was the return of investors to the market, which increased 41.5 percent over the quarter to be the strongest result in three years. Across all of Tassie, 1901 house sales were recorded at a median price of $610,000. That’s 11 percent up on the previous quarter and 3.5 percent higher than the same time last year. Sale increases continued regarding Hobart’s middle and outer suburbs, with a 19.8 percent increase over the quarter and a five percent increase on last year. It was a slightly different story in Launceston, which did go up 5.7 percent over the quarter, but down 10.7 percent on the same quarter last year. The median price of sales in Launnie also dropped (4.3 percent over the quarter). The north west recorded its best result in three years and
exceeded both the previous quarter and last year’s results. The region’s median price was $502,000, which is the first time it broke the half million dollar level. Onto the big sales now. There were 215 sales for properties exceeding $1,000,000, an increase of four sales over the quarter but six fewer than last year. Tassie locals were responsible for 81.4 percent of these buys. There were 457 properties acquired by first home buyers, ten more than the previous quarter and 22 less than the same time last year. An increase in mainland investors saw mainland buyer interest surge to its highest level in three years. So, what suburb sold the most? That would be Burnie with 94 transactions. It was followed by Devonport with 67 sales, Kingston at 43 and New Norfolk and Glenorchy tied on 30.
Macquarie Place, a proposed luxury apartment complex in Hobart, will not be going ahead after construction costs ballooned. The 56-unit development was estimated to cost $80 million, but building quotes came in 30 percent higher than expected, making the project financially unviable. The project was launched to
market a year ago, and it would’ve turned the former Motors Holden dealership on Macquarie Street into luxury apartments alongside ground-level shops. Some buyers had already purchased apartments, however all purchaser deposits will be refunded. Units were selling from $725,000 for a one-bedroom to more than $3 million for the higher end three-bedroom apartments.
Hobart’s median home price is on the up. PropTrack’s Home Price Index recently revealed a 3.1 per cent increase in the median value compared to last year’s results for the same time period. That equates to a $22,800 increase to the price of a typical home. At $665,000, Hobart’s median price is the second cheapest of the capital cities nationally, behind only Darwin. In other local real estate news, the Fern Tree family home of beloved photographer Peter Dombrovskis has recently been listed for sale in the south, and in the north the former home of James Boag III has hit the market for the first time. The Boags property, known as Daille, was built in 1902 in prestigious Newstead and has only ever been sold off-market before.
History House is one of Richmond's oldest and romantically beautiful buildings. The house is an exceptional example of the evolution of an Old Colonial Georgian house which began life as a cottage in 1826 and expanded in 1839. Its asymmetrical and balanced architecture, steeply pitched roof, rustic red convict bricks, and colonial windows are all characteristics of the early Georgian period of architecture. The house is the ideal private residence on a large corner allotment of 2,458m2 (approx.). Its position in the historic township would also lend itself to be utilised as a successful accommodation venture or perfect weekend country escape.
The property has a colourful history, originally built by Simon McCullagh, an Irish convict who earned his ticket of leave by helping capture a bushranger. McCullagh first registered the property as The Jolly Farmers Inn, and remnants of its earliest years remain, including original rooms, kitchen, and embrasure, used to protect the cottage with a shotgun. Today, the 188m ² (approx.) home retains its Georgian character, showcasing cedar doors, original floors, mantels, and colonial joinery. The floor plan is both charming and versatile, with multiple sitting rooms, a sunroom, bedrooms, a study or former dance room, and the preserved original cottage spaces below. Surrounding the house is a rambling established garden, complete with fruit trees, a small vineyard, and open lawns, with subdivision potential subject to approval.
History House offers you a once in a lifetime opportunity to secure one of Richmond's oldest and architecturally and historically important Georgian houses. Be the next custodian of its 199 year history!
With the warmer weather arriving, it’s the perfect time to encourage the kids to get outside. While there’s plenty of great public playgrounds around, there’s something special about creating a play space in your own backyard. Not only is it convenient, but it could also become the envy of your children’s friends and a goto spot for BBQs and weekend gatherings. Below are some ideas for fun outdoor play equipment. Don’t forget to involve the kids in the planning and building process. After all, it’s their play space!
Imagine being able to shoot hoops or play tennis without leaving the house. That’s exactly what companies like DreamCourts (www.dreamcourts.com.au) and MSF Sports (www.msfsports.com.au) offer: custom-built, professional-quality courts in your backyard, whether it’s basketball, netball, tennis or even pickleball. For a more budget-friendly option, there’s standalone basketball hoops or a backboard-and-bracket combo that attaches to the side of the house. There are ‘pop-up’ style kits available for a range of sports. Stores like Rebel Sport (www.rebelsport. com.au) have options to explore.
Swinging like a monkey comes naturally to most kids. Monkey bars are not only fun, but also great for physical development and social interaction. Funky Monkey Bars (www.funkymonkeybars. com), an Australian-owned company, sells award-winning, free-standing, adjustable monkey bars and swing sets made to last. Their range starts out as simple as classic standalone monkey bars, all the way up to a full jungle gym.
Cubby houses are a timeless backyard feature for kids to play and imagine in. If you’re handy with tools, you can build one yourself with a sturdy base, wall
frames, a roof, windows, doors, and a coat of paint. Get creative with themes like a spaceship, café, or fairytale castle. For inspiration and materials, Bunnings (www.bunnings.com.au) has step-by-step guides online, as well as ready-made cubbies. As for buying sets, Castle & Cubby (www.castleandcubby.com.au) is a Melbourne-based business that crafts gorgeous cubby houses. They have a healthy range of designs to pick from, some are beachy, others are country, one even has a fort top, and they all look very, very nice.
Playsets are the all-in-one backyard fun centre, combining slides, climbing walls, monkey bars, towers, and swings. If you’re up for the challenge, you can build your own, or buy pre-designed sets. Again, Bunnings has some great value kits, while Aussie company Lifespan Kids (www.lifespankids.com.au) has durable swing and playsets made for sliding, climbing, and bouncing fun.
A backyard classic, trampolines never go out of style, until it blows away on a super windy day. Whoops. Oz Trampolines (www.oztrampolines.com.au) sells both above-ground and in-ground models, built for Aussie weather conditions. In-ground trampolines may be more expensive, but they’re trendier, safer and look pretty slick, blending neatly into your backyard. Plus, they won’t blow away.
A mud kitchen is an imaginative pretend-play space where children can enjoy making mud pies and all sorts of messy creations. You can build one using recycled materials such as old pallets. You can find good free designs and guides online with a Google search. Alternatively, Muddy Play Kitchens (www.muddyplaykitchens.com.au) is a small Australian company that makes quality, sustainable,
durable mud kitchens that will survive the elements. All their products are made to order.
No Aussie backyard is complete without something to help cool off in summer. Inflatable water slides, splash mats and mini water parks can offer hours of excitement on a hot day. Sports and department stores have a huge range available online from simple splash mats to elaborate inflatable water parks featuring slides, tunnels, and even water cannons.
Sandpits are good for sensory play and creativity. They’re easy to construct too. Build a wooden frame, fill it with sand, and you’re good to go. For added flair, shape it like a pirate ship or include a lid or shade cover. Consider hiding dinosaur toys or other treasures in the sand. Or, if you replace the sand with plastic balls, suddenly you’ve got a ball pit.
Recycled tree stumps can be used for balancing, climbing, and as stepping stones. By arranging stumps of different heights, or connecting them with planks, you can create a mini obstacle course or balance beam.
Children seem to have a natural love for tunnels. You can create one using large corrugated pipes, old tyres, culverts, or even logs. It’s a simple addition, but a fun one.
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‘Cleveland House’ 12787 Midland Highway, Cleveland
Nestled in Tasmania's picturesque Northern Midlands, Cleveland House is a beautifully restored Georgian masterpiece rich in history. Built in 1834 by convict labor as the BaldFaced Stag Inn, this heritage property was a key stopover for travellers between Hobart and Launceston. Today, it offers a blend of classic elegance and modern comfort, inviting you to own a piece of history with abundant future possibilities.
There’s a hidden secret that has been yours since the day you were born. Your tender heart was meant to be reminded of it daily. It should have been repeated to you each night as you were rocked to sleep, every time a new strand of hair appeared on your head, and with each centimetre taller you grew. Although you felt it deep in your bones, over time, this secret faded; the treasure chest was buried. Some are fortunate to rediscover it, but many spend a lifetime trying. This revelation?
You deserve endless joy. You ought to be tended to. You are the most important thing under the sun.
Client: I feel overwhelmed by everything that’s going on in the world. I’m noticing myself being reactive, irritable, and fatigued. I probably shouldn’t spend as much time online getting caught up with stuff, but it’s hard. Lately, I just feel like I’m angry a lot of the time.
Therapist: Where do you feel this experience of anger in your body? How would you describe it?
Client: In my chest. It’s like something’s squeezing. And it’s as though my diaphragm feels it too.
Therapist: Would it be okay with you if we stayed with those sensations for a moment? And even give it more attention, as though we’re charging it up a bit? What does that feel like for you?
Client: There’s a surge of heat spreading from my stomach towards my throat. It’s thick and kind of sludgy, but there’s a vibration to it.
Therapist: It can be helpful to allow this energy to move through, to give it somewhere to land. Follow that for a moment.
Client: I have an image of my little girl’s face. I feel sad. I want to protect her from the world, but sometimes my focus is too
much out there, not in here (placing hand on heart). I don’t want her to be like me, to worry all the time. She’s so beautiful, like a beam of light.
Therapist: When you hold that image of your daughter’s face, what sensations do you notice in your body? What happens to that charge?
Client: (Sighs) There’s a softness. My chest feels warm, but it isn’t linear, more evenly spread throughout my limbs, almost like a sphere that wants to expand.
Therapist: If you could follow that glow, where does it want to land?
Client: (silence for a moment) Onto her. I want it to cradle her and tell her that she deserves nothing but happiness. But it’s strange because in my mind I see her playing joyfully. She’s safe. She’s curious. It’s as if that glimmer is already in her. Like it’s been there all along.
Therapist: I’m curious, is there anywhere else this gentle radiance wants to land?
Client: (eyes close, holding back tears) In me.
Therapist: Allow that. Notice what that feels like in the body, here in the present as you see that image. If there was something this glow wanted to share with you, perhaps even something it wanted to say to you, what would it tell you?”
Client: (silence for a while, then a soft smile) Pay attention to your treasure chest. (Aha-moment!) I think I’ve been looking outwards a lot lately - at what everyone is doing and following everything that’s going on and I think I’ve been using that as a distraction, you know, for what I’m avoiding.
Therapist: What do you think that is?
Client: To tend to myself.
Your attention is precious. Where it goes, it grows. Are you conscious of where your
attention is being pulled? Of what you’re inviting into your mind? Does the content you look at each day propel you to feel healthier, happier, and more engaged with your life and your loved ones? Does what you watch, read, or listen to leave you feeling energised and replenished? Take notice of how your body feels. If it’s not leaving you shimmering like a treasure chest of jewels, it’s likely depleting your exquisite life force.
Where would you like your energy to land?
You deserve endless joy. You ought to be tended to. You are the most important thing under the sun.
Did you know that humans are now believed to have a shorter attention span than that of a goldfish? The goldfish has an attention span of 9 seconds, and studies show that in the last 20 years, people’s attention has dropped from 12 to 8 seconds. In a world filled with constant distractions and non-stop exposure to bite-sized information, maintaining attention can be challenging. Exercise, spending time in nature, and personalising cognitive-behavioural techniques are some of the ways we empower ourselves to glow.
Annia Baron is a Clinical Psychologist & Mindset Coach. Want to create a life you desire and deserve? Get in touch on Instagram @anniabaron or visit www.remindyourself.com
This banana cake is all done in one bowl, just mash, mix and cook.
• 4 medium ripe bananas (1½ cups mashed)
• ½ cup (125ml) light flavoured olive oil or vegetable oil (you can blend the two oils if you don’t quite have enough of one)
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1½ cups self-raising flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (you can be generous with this if you enjoy a more ‘spiced’ cake)
Preheat oven to 180°c. Place the bananas in a bowl and mash with a fork. Add the oil, eggs, sugar and vanilla and mix to combine. Add the flour and cinnamon and mix to combine. Pour into a 22cm round cake tin lined with non-stick baking paper. Cook for 45 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean. Allow to stand in the tin for five minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Note: You can also make this mixture into muffins, a ring or loaf cake. You can also add choc chips or berries if you have them on hand.
With Halloween coming up, lollies are on our mind - and while the local grocer does the job, nothing beats stepping into a proper lolly shop. Walls lined with colourful sweets, chocolates you forgot existed, and that rush of nostalgia. It’s a treat for kids and adults alike. Plus, many have extras like ice cream, coffee, and toys. Here are three classic Tasmanian lolly shops worth checking out.
1.
Sweets and Treats 50 Bridge Street, Richmond
2. Salem’s
Shop 3, 42 Rooke Street, Devonport
3.
A Little Piece of Heaven 83 High Street, Campbell Town
2024 Stoney Rise Savagnin ($42) Savagnin is a white grape mostly grown in the Jura region of France that thrives in Tasmania, particularly in the Tamar Valley - which is where this bottle hails. The 2024 growing season provided ideal conditions for savagnin, leading to a refreshing white wine with subtle lemon and pear flavours, complex textures, and clean finish. It’s an ideal vessel to experience this lesser-known variety, especially since Stoney Rise focuses on low-intervention winemaking practices.
Set the vibe:
Music: Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles
Food: Oysters
When: Casual gathering on a warm day
2019 Cri de Coeur Savagnin Sous Voile ($95)
Crittenden Estate is one of Mornington Peninsula’s oldest vineyards, with its first plantings in the 80s, and likewise was one of Australia’s first growers of savagnin (fun fact: savagnin came to Australia by accident, being mistaken for albariño for several years until the mistake was discovered in 2009). This bottle is part of their high-end Cri de Coeur label.
Set the vibe:
Music: Pocketful of Sunshine by Natasha Bedingfield
Food: Comté cheese
When: On a holiday
WORLD TOP DROP Tolpuddle Vineyard's 2023
Chardonnay has been named Champion White Wine at the 2025 International Wine Challenge in London. The Richmond vineyard defeated thousands of entries from across the globe, reclaiming the same crown it last won in 2020. Earlier this year, the same wine claimed the International Chardonnay Trophy, Best Australian White and Best Tasmanian Chardonnay, with the vineyard's 2023 Pinot Noir also winning the Australian Pinot Noir Trophy.
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 bring you two moving (and frankly, devastating) novels from two accomplished Tasmanian authors, Heather Rose and Susie Greenhill. Rose’s A Great Act of Love takes us into the past of Van Diemen’s Land, while Greenhill’s The Clinking confronts the future, transporting us into a chilling vision of our island home in severe environmental crisis.
Diemen’s Land a wealthy widow, a small boy in tow, and an interest in winemaking. How and why she is here is a tale of bravery and determination, inextricably woven into the tapestry of her family and her place in time. From the nobility of revolutionary France, to London apothecaries, to early colonial Australia, Rose takes us on more than one journey through these pages.
The layers of this story subtly point to the author’s research expertise, and the insights shared through the complex characters highlights her personal wisdom.
If you love historical fiction, colonial history, epic family tales, or really great books that make you feel, I heartily recommend A Great Act of Love
tional impact is considerable. A warningreaders will likely finish feeling unsettled by its plausible near-future scenario.
Greenhill has crafted a story that lingers long after the final page, a testament to literature’s power to make climate change personal, hopefully alongside a renewed determination to confront environment crisis.
I am always interested in how a book makes me feel, and Heather Rose’s latest work, A Great Act of Love, devastated me in the most beautiful way possible.
An epic tale of family, reinvention, courage, life, and love, Heather Rose’s work of historical fiction weaves the threads of true events with her own spectacular storytelling. Caroline arrives in Van
Award-winning author Susie Greenhill delivers a haunting ecological meditation in The Clinking. Set in the near future of Nipaluna/Hobart, Lutruwita/Tasmania, this climate fiction follows Elena - as her personal life and the natural world crumbles around her. When her husband Tom, a grief-stricken ecologist, vanishes before a catastrophic storm, Elena must navigate single parenthood with their daughter Orla, while they both confront an uncertain future.
Susie Greenhill unpacks Tom’s environmental despair: his overwhelmed response to mass extinction, biodiversity loss, and increasingly violent weather events. While Elena finds hope in the next generation, Tom’s ecological grief consumes him, creating a chasm between the couple that is rendered with remarkable empathy and nuance.
The Clinking succeeds as both intimate family drama and broader environmental allegory. Greenhill’s prose is luminous yet unflinching, capturing the psychological toll of climate anxiety without sacrificing narrative momentum. The novel’s emo-
It’s about time we caught up with the times and expanded our remit more consciously to book events in the north of the state!
Did you know The Book Council of Lutruwita/Tasmania hosts regular author talks and monthly book swaps (with afternoon tea, yum) at the Launceston Library? Check out the schedule at bookcouncillt.carrd.co.
The Launceston Library also has a lot of author talks and other book events in its own programming. Look at the Library’s upcoming listings on Eventbrite tinyurl.com/4b6uaj37.
Petrarch’s Bookshop is another go-to for book launches and signings. Be sure to keep an eye on their website and book quickly, because events sell out weeks in advance: petrarchs.com. au/events.
Keen to chat books with us?
Find us on Instagram @thewomanbookerprizeclub Book Chatter
Situated just 10 minutes drive from the Launceston city centre and airport, the Josef Chromy estate is an essential addition to your Northern Tasmanian itinerary. We look forward to welcoming you to our cellar door, an original 1880s homestead nestled amongst spectacular established gardens.
Cellar Door: 370 Relbia Road, Relbia, TAS, 7258 www.josefchromy.com.au
P Email andrew.wilkie.mp@aph.gov.au
P Write to me at GPO Box 32 Hobart
P I regularly hold mobile offices. Please check my website and social media for details. Your
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HOROSCOPES
Words: Sara Hewitt
October opens with a fiery Full Moon in Aries on the 7th, stirring passions and spotlighting emotional independence. The New Moon in Libra on the 21st invites harmony and fresh starts in relationships. Mercury travels from Scorpio into Sagittarius, Venus glides into Libra, and Neptune begins a dreamy retrograde back into Pisces on the 22nd.
Aries (21 Mar - 19 Apr): Emotions run high early in the month, offering a chance to reset your focus and release old baggage. Communication turns deeper, helping you say what really matters. Partnerships deepen as you open up with more grace.
Taurus (20 Apr - 20 May): Let go of stress and overthinking this month. Rest helps you feel stronger, and trust begins to return. Relationships improve when you focus on the little things.
Gemini (21 May - 20 Jun): Intensity brings emotional clarity around friendships or goals at the start of October. Creative ideas return with a gentle flow. Toward the end, planning something exciting becomes easier.
Cancer (21 Jun - 22 Jul): Something shifts in your sense of direction. You’re not lost, just adjusting your path to something that feels truer. Emotional patterns from the past surface gently and can now be healed with less resistance.
Leo (23 Jul - 22 Aug): Let yourself be curious again. You’re drawn to new perspectives, but something old needs releasing first. Communication becomes more intuitive, helping you say less and mean more.
Virgo (23 Aug - 22 Sep): You’re learning to value what truly sustains you. Connection becomes easier once you’re honest about what you need. Later in the month, a clear idea about your next step arrives.
Libra (23 Sep - 22 Oct): There’s a sense of closure in one-on-one relationships early this month. You may realise what
you’re no longer willing to carry. Venus adds warmth and magnetism.
Scorpio (23 Oct - 21 Nov): You’re ready to clear out what no longer serves your well-being. With Mercury in your sign, you’re thinking more deeply and seeing patterns clearly.
Sagittarius (22 Nov - 21 Dec): Old goals or social ties may fade, but only to make room for new inspiration. You’re more open to love or creative expression and may reconnect with a forgotten passion.
Capricorn (22 Dec - 19 Jan): You may feel pulled between public success and private needs. Something emotional at home needs attention and healing. With clearer communication, family ties grow stronger.
Aquarius (20 Jan - 18 Feb): Your world feels bigger this month. Something clicks that helps you see past limitations. Toward the end of the month, you may feel called to step into a new role. Keep learning, keep talking, and stay close to what excites you.
Pisces (19 Feb - 20 Mar): You’re letting go of emotional weight that’s been too heavy for too long. A financial or energetic exchange becomes clearer. As Neptune retrogrades into your sign, clarity replaces confusion.
Sara is a Hobart based astrologer with over 30 years professional experience. If you would like a private psychic or astrology reading with Sara please go to www.stargold.com.au for more information.
Tasmania is no stranger to weirdness, so it’s appropriate we have our very own crop circle mystery.
These Tasmanian crop circles didn’t appear on corn or wheat. Rather, they showed up on poppy fields. There are thousands of acres of these fields here, because Tasmania produces almost half of the world’s opium poppy supply. These crops are legal and grown for medicinal purposes. Poppies contain valuable alkaloid material that’s used for pain relief, including morphine, thebaine and codeine, and Tasmania is a hotspot due to ideal climate conditions.
It’s not known when the circles first appeared. Poppy farming started in Tasmania in the 1960s, but it wasn’t until 2009 that this story broke out. Basically, poppy growers were waking up on misty Tassie mornings to discover their farms covered with crop circles.
Imagine what it must’ve been like to discover them. You’d probably be annoyed about the damage to your crop before the questions started creeping in. What on (or off) earth caused this?
For most, the first thing to come to mind might be aliens. That’s what pop culture has taught us. Crop circles are large, sometimes intricate, patterns created by flattened crops that look like a spaceship had landed there. In actual fact, humans are the ones most cases can be attributed to. In 1991, two hoaxers, Doug Bower and Dave Chorley, took credit for having created over 200 crop circles throughout England. After this was widely reported, copycats started creating more all over the world.
But these Tasmanian crop circles are different. They were not caused by humans. It would’ve been difficult to do, since poppy fields are well protected, with
‘keep out’ signs plastered over fences saying trespassers will be prosecuted and the illegal use of the crop may cause death.
So, some aliens that wanted a free high, then? Not that either. In 2009, it was revealed the culprit behind the crop circles were in fact…wallabies!
Bennett’s wallabies to be specific. They’re medium-sized marsupials common to eastern Australia and Tasmania. If you’re driving around the bush at night, it’s most likely these guys you’re spotting on the side of the road.
These cheeky wallabies had been sneaking under the fences, snacking on the poppies, then getting a high, which caused them to hop around in circles, trampling the crops and creating the crop circles.
It might sound like a joke, but this news was revealed when Tasmania’s attorney-general at the time, Lara Giddings (who later became premier of Tasmania), stood before parliament for a budget hearing. She said, “We have a problem with wallabies entering poppy fields, getting as high as a kite and going around in circles.” Not an ordinary budget hearing by any means. “Then they crash,” said Giddings. “We see crop circles in the poppy industry from wallabies that are high.”
Giddings was answering questions about the security of Tasmania’s poppy stocks. Needless to say, this bombshell captured media attention, and news sites all over the world reported on the security-breaching, high-chasing marsupials.
At this time, Richard “Rick” Rockliff (the father of Jeremy Rockliff, current premier of Tasmania), was field operations manager for Tasmania’s largest corporate grower of opium poppies, Tasmanian Alkaloids, now known as Extractas Bioscience. Rick revealed it wasn’t just wallabies that were
getting in on the action. He said deer and sheep that munched the poppies had been known to “act weird” afterwards. “There have been many stories about sheep that have eaten some of the poppies after harvesting and they all walk around in circles,” Rockliff told the media.
Retired farmer Lyndley Chopping had spent more than 30 years growing poppies and would see wallabies acting strangely in his fields. “They would just come and eat some poppies and they would go away,” he told ABC News in 2009. “They’d come back again and they would do their circle work in the paddock.”
So there you have it, the surprising culprit behind the Tasmanian crop circle mystery of ‘09. We’ll never look at wallabies the same way again.
Believe it or not, that’s not the only weird and wonderful wallaby story out there. There’s a colony of them, about 150, who have emigrated to an unexpected place: France. Sacre bleu! The Tasmanian wallabies live in forests surrounding a French village called Émancé after escaping from a zoo in the 1970s. They escaped by burrowing through holes in the fencing, similar to their poppy escapades back home. The wallabies thrive to this day because of France’s similar climate to us, plenty of shelter, an abundance of food, and lack of predators. In 2003, yellow signs of a wallaby silhouette were installed. Now, they have become a mascot for the town, and residents still have a hard time convincing their friends that they’ve seen kangaroo-looking things on the side of the road.
Hobart’s Friday night market! 4:30pm - 9:00pm
BROOKE STREET PIER Oct 24, 31, Nov 21, 28, Dec 12, 19 LONG BEACH SANDY BAY Oct 3, 10, Nov 7, 14, Dec 5
