LUXURY accommodation provider Kittawa Lodge has been recognised as one of the nation’s best, taking out silver in Australia’s Best New Tourism Business National Award.

The Australian Tourism Awards are the tourism industry’s peak awards – recognising and promoting excellence in tourism.

Kittawa Lodge, which last November won gold in The Gustav Weindorfer Award for Best New Tourism Business and was the first King Island business to have ever won a gold at the Tasmanian Tourism Awards, took to the national stage over the weekend in the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, held on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland.

Aaron Suine and Nick Stead, who have created Kittawa, were thrilled with their win.

“Our field was packed with talented and resilient businesses and all finalists should be congratulated, especially Pennicott Journeys tour company for taking out the gold,” the pair said.
“We take so much pride from being King Island’s first representative at the Australian awards and being the best new accommodation business in Australia.
“Congratulations to all our friends in Tasmania who represented our incredible state, taking home eight golds, four silvers and three bronzes across 26 categories.
“We are completely honoured to have taken home silver at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards and we can’t be anything other than incredibly proud of this achievement, especially after such a challenging few years. We now have the fire in our belly to go one better next year.”

The competition was particularly strong this year as there were no awards last year due to Covid, so the new business category was two years’ worth of new tourism businesses.

Tourism Industry Council Tasmania CEO Luke Martin said Tasmania’s leading tourism operators had once again dominated the industry’s national awards.

He said Kittawa’s silver award for Best New Tourism Business cemented the business reputation as one of the nation’s finest luxury accommodation retreats.

“This result says much about King Island’s evolution as a visitor destination, along with the courage and vision of those investors and tourism operators creating exceptional experiences on the island,” Mr Martin said.

West by North West CEO Tom Wootton said the significance of the Kittawa Lodge win should not be underestimated.

“It’s perhaps the most competitive and challenging category, as it spans all types of tourism business; but it’s also a reflection of the excitement currently surrounding King Island as a destination on its way up.”

The Australian Tourism Awards were first established in 1985.

A wide and diverse range of tourism businesses enter their state and territory awards.

Over 200 reach the prestigious status of becoming a national finalist.

The race director’s thoughts …..
Ian Allen

THE questions that I always ask after each Imperial 20, was the event well organised?
Was it a success? And was it worth it?
This year I can confidently answer YES, YES and YES.

As race director I have the responsibility for overseeing the operation of the event, usually my phone runs hot during the day with calls for many of the volunteers out on the course.

This year my phone was strangely quiet.

Initially I blamed Telstra, but I soon realized that all of our volunteers were totally in control, and they had everything perfectly organised.

Now looking at whether the event was a success.

I can confidently say the event was a success especially considering it is one of the few events anywhere that kept going through the pandemic.

When I see the response from the community, I can definitely say all the time and effort was worth it.

To see the dedication and friendliness of the volunteers is uplifting and the participation of people of all ages encourages to start organising the 2023 event.

Thank you King Island.

THERE’s something for everyone in the volunteer-organised Hydro Imperial 20, 32- Km coast to coast foot race.

It started with trials and fun run at Porky Beach and finished with the Sunday night dinner.

The first male across the finish line in Main Street Currie in the handicap running event 32-km was Paul Carter in the time 2:17:54.0. Helen Dracup was the first female runner across the line and placed second, in the time 2:38:49.0.

The overall winner of the handicap running event 32-km was Merle Want. The 32-km walk was won by Lachlan Wilkinson and Sue Claridge came in second.

It was a tight finish in the Mixed Team Running Relay 32-km. The Blow Ins came in first 2:47:20.1 when the seconds counted.

In second position, the Finncredibles 2:47:38 From Naracoopa into Currie the road was dotted with volunteer-run water stations and council porta-loos.

Signs told runners how far they had run or walked, and markers pointed to relay change over spots. The roads were closed and diversions setup.

The warm weather made the events challenging, particularly for the walkers.

The pram pushing event made sure bubs enjoyed the fresh air and the mums completed the 8-km push and The Three Amigos, Lizzie Cambra, Tracey Collyer, and Wendy Thiele, walked, uked and sang their way into Currie.

There were outstanding performances by the 60+ age grouping across all event categories.

The new format for kids starting in Currie was very popular and worked well. Imperial 20 Inc president Gary Strickland, was delighted with the weekend’s events.

“It’s been good given the impact of Covid over the past two years. There were 150 entrants, and many return each year to King Island to take part,” he said.
“Many friendships have been made over the years.

This was second 32-km Imperial for Ebony Churchill from Portland Victoria.

“I’ve had a great time,” she said.
“My time was good, but I will need to work this year to maintain my fitness for next year’s Imperial.”

At the Saturday night dinner, Jan van Ruiswyk and Rod Griffin were honoured and received Life Membership for their dedication and service to the Imperial 20 organisation.

This year was Gary Strickland’s ninth 32 km run.

“I’ve been in all the races,” he said.
“Well, I’ll rest today and tomorrow I’ll begin training as I am running 1000km over a 10- week period to raise awareness in promoting wellbeing through education, awareness, and practice of positive psychology. and funds for Foundations to Flourish.”

Sponsorship and donations can be made on the Foundations to Flourish Go Fund Me page (https://gofund.me/b313fe53) or use the links on their Facebook page.

All teams, participants, events, and results for Imperial 20 2022 can be found on their website kingislandrace.org.au

A RECORD dry spell on King Island is forcing some farmers to import hay to feed livestock.

The island has recorded its driest summer in 47 years of records and the conditions have seen farmers resort to sourcing food off the island.

Only a couple of years ago King Island was sending hay bales to other parts of Australia when drought-stricken farmers were in desperate need of hay to feed stock. Now the tables have turned.

It has been a difficult year for growing grass and some farmers are needing to import hay.

The island’s very wet spring, issues with fertiliser supply to farms and this summer’s dry conditions have all come into play.

Beef Producers Group president Nick Lyttle from Waverley Station said he had bought some hay in.

“We couldn’t get a supply big enough for our needs on-island this year,” Mr Lyttle said.

He said that their usual supplier was unable to cut enough and they imported some to fill the order.

“This was used to feed our calves in the weaning pens.
“The low supply is mainly due to a very wet spring with low growth then a dry start to summer – the grass never grew bulk so fewer tonnes were cut for hay.”

One long-time farmer and an agribusiness owner expanded on the weather factors affecting this year’s grass growing and cutting.

Both said that additional burdens this year had been fertilise-to-farm delays and the imposed cartage tonnage weight limits.

“There is a 23-tonne limit, previously we were getting 26 tonnes,” he said. “This makes a big difference to us all,” they said.
“I understand that sand can be carted at 27-tonne loads… “I don’t understand the discrimination against the farming community which are island economic drivers.”

TRT Pastoral senior manager Cody Whiteman said while they had not had to bring hay in, their volumes were down.

“We made our own on farm,” Mr Whiteman said.
“We didn’t make as much as we wanted due to the wet winter damaging pasture stands which led to less pasture growth than normal in the spring.
“This may be why other farmers are buying in outside hay as well, due to a poor hay season on island.”

The Bureau of Meteorology says the dry summer conditions were caused by persistent high-pressure systems to the south and west of Tasmania, keeping rain from cold fronts away from the state.

These high-pressure systems were associated with a climate driver called the Southern Annular Mode, or the SAM, which was in a positive phase during most of summer.

Days were warmer than average across the state, except for King Island where maximum temperatures were near or just above average for December.

King Island Airport has experienced the warmest January nights on record.

The BOM predicts that the autumn rainfall is likely to be close to average and both maximum and minimum temperatures are very likely to be above average across Tasmania, partly due to above average ocean temperatures around the state.

The La Nina event in the tropical Pacific has peaked and will most likely return to neutral conditions during the autumn.

As La Nina weakens it can continue to have its influence on weather and climate.

La Nina events typically bring above average rainfall to large parts of eastern Australia during autumn.

TASMANIAN Department of State Growth representatives have been to the island and met with tourism operators as promised.

The meetings were part of a process offered by the State Government in response to the impacts of the government’s Public Health-issued advisory to not travel to King Island earlier this year, due to a Covid-19 outbreak.

President of King Island Tourism Inc. Adam Hely said he was keen to see what would come from the meetings.

“Tourism operators had individual meetings with State Growth and were able to tell them of the financial hardship that the travel restriction announcement caused,” Mr Hely said.

Mr Hely said he was yet to hear back from the Department and he was not aware of other operators having received feedback.

Tourism operator Ian Johnson experienced major losses due to group cancellations and confirmed he also met with State Growth officials.

“We met, we talked, and I haven’t heard anything back from them yet,” Mr Johnson said.

The Government’s second tranche of Business Support grants, which was available to all eligible Tasmanian tourism operators who experienced financial loss due to Tasmanian borders opening in February, closed on Tuesday, March 8.

King Island operators are hoping for additional financial support and direct compensation due to the travel advisory which was not issued to any other local government area and led to mass current and future bookings cancellations.

Mayor Julie Arnold said while things had improved there was a significant shortfall from last summer bookings.

“Our bookings now are good but we expected them to be good,” Ms Arnold said.
“That doesn’t recover the January bookings that a number of our people lost and which caused such immense economic damage to them.
“We’ll wait and see what State Growth say and whether they come back with specific support for perhaps individuals in the tourism group that have been badly impacted.”

*pictured The Searoad Mersey II in Devonport*

THERE are more unanswered questions and concerns just days out from the start of Tasports’ new shipping arrangements for King Island.

Tasport-owned Bass Island Line will move to a weekly shipping service between King Island and Devonport from Monday, dropping its Victoria port call due to financial losses and concerns over viability.

However, the company is yet to provide a pricing structure or more information about how the new service will work.

TasPorts has announced that the King Island freight to and from Victoria will be transhipped in Devonport using Searoad and maintains that moving freight on and off the island will be seamless.

This means BIL’s shipping agents will organise all logistics for customers who are transhipping goods between King Island and Victoria.

This will also mean customers only receive one invoice.

Despite this, booking agents on the island and BIL agent Tas Cargo was not able to provide answers regarding the costs to King Islanders wanting to use the service after March 14.

Freight forwarding operators have also been unable to provide information to King Islanders on how the Federal Government supported Bass Strait Freight Equalisation Scheme (inter- and intra-state) applies and how businesses will apply it. King Island Mayor Julie Arnold is worried.

“So contrary to what you may have been told, the changes have not had the major backing by our community,” Ms Arnold said.
“Unfortunately, Bass Island Line, don’t consider our community or our residents in the street as their customers.
“I think it’s unethical to decide to do something based on some customers who may have a vested interest.
“Maybe you have an ethical responsibility to the people that are going to be disadvantaged and you have to bear the costs.”

There is also community anxiety around insurance liabilities and animal welfare.

While cattle farmers appear to be happy about the shift to Devonport and potential cost savings, others who use mainland stock for genetic and herd diversity require more information around cattle holding and transfers.

TasPorts Chief Operating Officer Stephen Casey has said there will be cost savings for those shipping between King Island and mainland Tasmania.

“Pleasingly, we have been able to achieve a reduction in rates for the King Island/ Devonport leg,” Mr Casey said.
“Approximately 70% of the freight task will benefit from a reduction in cost on this leg.
“As an example, customers transporting a heavyweight container or reefer, up to 26 tonnes, will benefit from a more than $600 saving between King Island and Devonport, including the return of an empty container.”

It’s a different story for those wanting to ship freight interstate.

“There will be an increase in rates for cargo requiring transhipment to Victoria however, we have worked hard to ensure these rates are fair and reasonable,” Mr Casey said.
“Importantly, in assessing the best transhipment model, the transport of dangerous goods and time sensitive freight were key considerations.
“We believe the seamless transhipment arrangement will deliver the best solution for customers.
“BIL is actively working with its customers on the transition and is committed to providing a financially sustainable shipping service which meets the needs of the King Island community.”

Earlier this week the John Duigan ship transported its first load of cattle in 18 months.

It was destined for JBS and discharged in Bell Bay, not Devonport.

It’s also been reported that Eastern shipping has in the past week been impacted by Covid, highlighting the need for two ships.

Tasports has indicated that if there is sufficient demand an additional sailing may be considered.

And while Tasports has deemed the first trials undertaken by the John Duigan using the $2.4 million upgrade to the Devonport port roll on roll off ramp a success there are concerns around the cost and the space provided.

The new ramp was constructed on the Port of Devonport’s western side of the Mersey River, south of Devonport Berth 5 West.

While TasPorts is upbeat about the new ramp, it is understood the build incurred a $750,000 variation for a drawbridge to go over existing gas pipe works.

A TasPorts spokesperson said the approved budget for the ramp was more than $2.4 million, with the project forecast to fall within this budget upon completion in coming months.

The Courier has been told there are also concerns around the design of the Devonport ramp area including that there is only a 2000sqm yard space.

By comparison, the paved area of Grassy Port where the containers get help is about 10,000sqm.

This does not include other areas of the port where stock trailers, cars and machinery are parked, and fuel handled.

There is close to 20,000 square metres of yard space at Grassy and often that’s not enough.

“The yard area leased by BIL for operations at Devonport 5 West has been determined, in consultation with the stevedoring company,” the Tasports’ spokesperson said.
“It is adequate for the operational requirements of BIL, however there is an opportunity for expansion if required.”

The British Red Cross established a branch in Australia in August 1914, nine days after the start of World War I, by Lady Helen Munro Ferguson, wife of the sixth Governor General of Australia.

There had been interest in the Red Cross movement and patriotic funds in Australia prior to 1914.
Much of the organisation’s history revolves around women and women’s volunteer work.

Within weeks of Lady Fergusons leadership and inspiration, in September and October 1914, the King Island News reported that the King Island Red Cross Society had fundraised and made items destined for overseas.
In 1927 Australia was recognised as a national society in its own right by the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Past president of the Australian Red Cross (Tasmanian Division) Karen Taplin delivers the sad news that the branch of closing

Members of the King Island branch of Australian Red Cross (Tasmanian Division) would like to advise our King Island community that the branch has now closed after 82 years of service.

The deliberations and process to formally close the King Island branch have been happening over the past six months.

Our diminishing numbers of active members was the catalyst for the decision.

The impact of COVID -19 restrictions on usual fundraising activities, the primary motivator for our branch, was also an influence.

Our final major raffle, a return airfare kindly donated by Sharp Airlines, was drawn in December, and won by Kim McGregor.

Branch members would like to thank Sharp Airlines for their continued annual support with major raffle sponsorship since they commenced their King Island service.

Our gratitude and appreciation to King Island Airlines who also supported the branch each year for many more years through their sponsorship of return airfares for major raffles.

Our local business community were also generous supporters of our fundraising over the years, heartfelt thanks to them.

Local Red Cross branches prosper under the leadership and dedication of members who contribute significant years of service.

The longevity of the King Island branch is attributed to members who selflessly committed to decades of service, members the likes of the late Mrs Sylvia Ransley, Mrs Joyce Payne and Mrs Dorothy Keating as well as current members – Mrs Margaret Perry, Mrs Mary Ward, Mrs Barbara Lancaster and Mrs Val McGarvie, all recipients of Long Service awards.

These ladies epitomise the principles and values of being a member of Australian Red Cross, we thank them and applaud them for their service!

Last but not least, our members sincerely thank the King Island community who always wholeheartedly supported our fundraising efforts and gave generously every time, we couldn’t have survived 80 plus years without you.

Some of our March Doorknock Appeal collectors on King Island were not branch members but clocked up 30-40 years of annual doorknocking.

King Island Historical Society Museum is the custodian of our branch archives and memorabilia, the history will not be lost to our community.

Though there will no longer be a branch on King Island, Red Cross will still have an active presence through the work of the local team of eight trained emergency service volunteers who are able to be deployed to assist in disaster relief responses.

IT WAS an emotional day for the King Island community as the first sod was turned on the reborn Dolphin Tungsten Mine at Grassy.

G6M management and staff were joined by State and Federal MPs, investors, shareholders, Mayor Julie Arnold and guests to witness the historic event Executive chairman Johann Jacobs and Tasmanian Resources Minister Guy Barnett had the honour of “turning the first sod” a symbolic action that marked the beginning of a new era for the mine and Australia.

It has also signalled a world of new possibilities for the island.

“This is a huge opportunity for our small King Island economy,” Mayor Julie Arnold said with a hint of raw emotion in her voice.
“I sincerely welcome Group 6 Metals to King Island. “You are now one of us.”

Minister Barnett and Federal Member for Braddon, Gavin Pearce congratulated Mr Jacobs and investors for reaching this milestone and recognised their perseverance and the importance of the mine in the King Island, Tasmanian and Australian economies.

“It is an exciting day for State, Federal and Local governments,” Mr Barnett said. “The State Government support is a vote of confidence in the island.
A day like today makes me proud. Today is putting a vision into action.”

He emphasised the importance of the 90 jobs that the mine will create.

There will be 65 ongoing jobs, and 75% of these will be local.

He said that the current mine production life is estimated to be estimated eight years above ground and six years under ground.

The consistent message from all speakers was that tungsten is a critical mineral and is part of the renewable energy and technology sectors and has an essential role in the future of Australia.

The Dolphin Tungsten Mine closed in 1992 due to extremely low prices for the resource.

Mr Pearce recognised not only the importance of the mine reopening but the significance of reopening for the island.

“My uncle owned King Island Transport Co., I know firsthand,” he said.
“The Scheelite mine was the lifeblood of the island and when it closed… it devastated the place, and many have lived in that legacy.”

Mr Pearce said he had faith that the mine would be world’s best practice and mine in the most environmentally responsible way.

It has taken ten years of hard work and investment of more than $90 million to get to the opening.

Mr Jacobs acknowledged all those involved in bringing the vision to fruition.

“Critical minerals are of economic importance, they are used in everyday life,” Mr Jacobs said.
“They are critical as 80% are produced in China.
“This makes them critical for the western world.
“Tungsten is unsubstitutable. “Currently 20% of production is used in car manufacturing, not in, but to cut metal; it’s needed for drills to build roads, tunnels; in carbide bits, 3D printing, wind turbine manufacture, carbide bits, 3D printing, mobile phones, and emerging technologies.

“We have to mine more tungsten to go green.”

The mine is expected to produce first concentrate in the March quarter of 2023.