Lions shrink and cut

AFTER 37 years of serving the Tasman community the Lions Club of Tasman has made some changes to ensure its continuation and smooth running.

While the club still has 17 members, some are elderly and some have health issues and some of the younger members have full-time employment and/or young families.

Club president Leon Lisson said while they were happy to remain members they did not have the time to dedicate to a management role.

The Lions Club of Tasman has decided to operate as a single-purpose club under the banner of the Tasman Lions Swimming Pool.

Mr Lisson said the main concern if the club was to no longer exist would be the viability of the swimming pool, which was an important asset in the Tasman community.

“The Tasman Lions Swimming Pool committee are a dedicated and hard-working committee of volunteers ably led by Adele Skeggs,’’ Mr Lisson said.
“The Lions Club has ensured financial security for the pool from funds raised over the years.
“Maria Stacey (secretary) has given so much to Lions and the community over the years but no longer has the time to dedicate to her role in Lions as it was.’’

Mr Lisson and Treasurer Jenny Johnson indicated they wished to focus on their other community commitments.

“As a community with a very small population, Tasman is so fortunate to have great welfare support not only from Lions but a very active Rotary Club, a Tasman Conversation Group, The Tasman Op Shop and Library with their amazing financial support, an invigorated CWA plus other fantastic community groups,’’ he said.

The Lions Club will continue involvement in the Art and Craft Exhibition, which is a main fund raiser for the swimming pool; Breast Cancer Fund Raiser; Sponsoring school achievement awards; emergency care packs; general welfare issues; and sponsoring student first aid courses.

Charity hikers cash in

MORE than $40,000 was raised last month by 75 hikers who walked from Tasman Arch to Fortescue Bay.

The Tasmanian Iconic Walks Hike raised much needed funds for the Stroke Foundation.

It was the fourth time the event has been held. Stroke Foundation Tasmanian State Manager Eamonn O’Toole said such an event took a lot of time and dedication to plan and run, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The Tasmanian Iconic Walks team of volunteers, led by JoCordell-Cooper, has demonstrated once again what can be achieved with determination and a passion to connect people to each other, their environment and the wider goal of supporting people impacted by stroke,’’ Mr O’Toole said.

Organiser Jo Cordell-Cooper said there was an extremely positive atmosphere on the day.

“The hike itself is challenging and it was wonderful to see members of each team supporting each other throughout the journey,” Ms Cordell-Cooper said.
“Many of the participants had been impacted by stroke in one way or another, so the cause resonated strongly.
“This walk provides the opportunity for people to raise funds for vital programs that help the stroke community throughout recovery.

It also enables hikers to reduce their own stroke risk by being physically active.

“Like many of the participants of this walk, I know first-hand that stroke can have a profound impact, not just on an individual, but their family too.”

There are more than 11,000 survivors of stroke living in Tasmania.

Students put youth in picture

SORELL School students have put their best faces forward to take part in a worldwide art project, some 138 countries and 415,000 portraits strong.

The project is called Inside Out, and is led by French Artist JR.

For the Sorell students, the project is led by Year 9 students Isaac, Doug, Travis, Amelia and Deakin, who are part of Action Crew 7172, a collective education initiative based at the school and operated by the Beacon Foundation.

The Action Crew, supported by David Adams and Evi van der Niet, have taken to the project, photographing over 100 students for the project, posting the motif across Sorell, spreading their message across the town that youth in Sorell is there to be heard.

“We have bright ideas that are rarely heard, and this is to show that we are capable and have the brains to take over,” said Isaac.

Outlined on their ‘Inside Out’ website, the Action Crew spoke more about the need for youth to be valued.

“One of the six principles of Action Crew is ‘nothing about us without us’.
“We want to make Sorell a more fun and interesting place to grow up in, where young people are seen, feel heard and valued.”

The Inside Out project is one of four major projects for the Action Crew students this year, with plans to raise the Rainbow Flag at the school later this year, becoming the first school in Tasmania to do so.

As well as this, the students are hosting sewing bees as part of their ‘Boomerang Bags’ project, where they are creating re-usable shopping bags for the community to do away with single-use bags.

And the Tin Camp Studio is an open forum for students to tell their stories within an environment built to listen, whether through talking, dancing, singing or share.

Festival tonic for gin distillers

TASMANIA’S premier spirit festival and the state’s only dedicated gin festival celebrates its fifth event, bigger and better than ever in January 2022.

Gin-uary organiser Nicole Fisher said the Tasmanian Festival will be held on January 8-9 at the Goods Shed, Hobart.

Ruby Daly said with her Boomer Bay distillery Hellfire Bluff being involved since the first Gin-uary five years ago she had seen amazing growth in the festival.

“Every year we go there’s new distillers, new products and it just shows how big the Tasmanian gin market is,” said Ms Daly.

Ms Fisher said Gin-uary was a chance to try award-winning gin as well as new products from new distillers.
“Gin-uary was created with the support of major sponsor 9/11, to celebrate Tasmania’s budding gin industry, where we are now celebrated across Australia and around the world for our high-quality, locally made product,” Ms Fisher said. “Gin-uary is now in its fifth year and is a crucial event for the Tasmanian spirits industry.
“Gin-uary gives Tasmanian distillers national exposure and offers local and interstate consumers the opportunity to sample a huge variety of well-known, as well as new and exclusive, Tasmanian gins.”

Ms Fisher said festival attendees will engage with and learn from about 30 local distillers, creating social and emotional connections to the product.

As well as Hellfire Bluff other local distilleries involved in Gin-uary include Dunalley Bay and McHenry Distillery from Port Arthur.

“Gin-uary is designed to provide an enlightening experience which showcases the passion and the spirit of the distilleries.
“Each year, our audience has grown, from 1200 people in 2018 to almost 2000 in 2021.
“Gin-uary 2021 will be open to more than 2000 people across three four-hour sessions, held over two days.”

Ms Fisher said there will be a variety of food vendors as well as the Gin-uary bar slinging cocktails and this year will feature a VIP lounge.

Festival rains supreme

A DOWNPOUR failed to dampen the spirits of crowds at this year’s Bicheno Food and Wine festival.

Held on Saturday, November 20, the food and drink extravaganza showcased the best of the East Coast.

Some patrons kickstarted their day with an espresso martini from Ironhouse Brewery while others warmed up with mulled wine from Hurly Burly Wines.

Food highlights included delicious steamed Taiwanese buns from Deep End Farm and the Instagram-worthy squid on a stick from Formosa Bites.

Performances from bands including King Cake and Polaroids encouraged everyone to chair dance in their picnic seats at this Covid-safe event.

Despite problems with Eftpos, the day was a success and the festival is set to return next November.

Drawbridge to drop

THE countdown to Tasmania’s border reopening is just days away and the possibility of Covid-positive cases coming to the state is inevitable.

The State Government is adamant borders will open to other states on Wednesday, December 15, and is pleading with unvaccinated Tasmanians, to get the jab.

Visitors are expected to arrive in droves, with popular locations like Port Arthur, the Tasman Peninsula, South East beaches and the East Coast to see visitation lift. All visitors will need to be fully vaccinated.

Those coming from states that have community transmission must provide a negative Covid test 72 hours before arrival.

There are now 91.4 per cent of Tasmanians aged 12 and over having had at least one dose, and 83.3 per cent fully vaccinated.

The target remains to have at least 90 per cent fully vaccinated for Tasmanians by the time borders open.

With 12 to 18-year-olds lagging behind in the vaccination stakes, the Government announced a five-day blitz and incentive program, offering up to 50 prizes of iPads and iPhones for teenagers who got the jab during the promotion period.

It has resulted in thousands of additional young people turning up to clinics to be vaccinated.

The Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has welcomed the plan for the border reopening.

TCCI chief executive Michael Bailey said businesses could now look forward with confidence. “The sooner border restrictions ease, the sooner businesses can rebuild,” he said.

In preparation for the growing number of visitors as well as anticipated summer events the Government has announced several changes to its social event rules with more expected in coming weeks.

Restrictions on patron caps for indoor (currently 100) and outdoor drinking (currently 250) and dancing will be lifted on the basis that patrons and staff are fully vaccinated.

This will apply for patrons from December 6 and for staff from December 15 for events, this means that if you have an approved limit of 5000, everyone attending can stand up and drink or dance, so long as patrons and staff are fully vaccinated.

Travellers have been warned that strong border controls remaining, with multiple check points.

People flouting the rules face an on-the-spot fine of $1557.

Police will also have powers to arrest people, or they could be summonsed and charged with a penalty of up to $17,000 or six months in prison.

Day the music died – Funding puts end to Falls

THE popular Falls Festival at Marion Bay will no longer take place in Tasmania, upsetting music lovers who have flocked to the event over the past 17 years.

Having been cancelled last year due to Covid restrictions, organisers had until last month been cagey about whether the festival would go ahead.

It is understood the festival organisers and the State Government could not reach a deal in terms of taxpayer money underwriting the event.

As well as cancelling Marion Bay, the Lorne event will no longer go ahead, instead shifting to Pennyroyal Plains in Murroon, Victoria.

The event was a huge tourist drawcard for the South East of Tasmania, with economic activity in the region dramatically rising as visitors flock to the area.

“After 27 years in beautiful Lorne and 17 years in fabulous Tassie it is with mixed feelings that Falls Festival moves on to its next chapter,’’ organisers said.

“It has been a privilege to operate Falls Festival in such beautiful locations and we’re so thankful to the Surf Coast Shire, Sorell Council and supporting stakeholders of Lorne and Marion Bay who have shown Falls Festival such incredible support over the years.
“We hope that our Lorne and Tassie Falls fam (family) will join us at Pennyroyal Plains. “Less than two hours from Melbourne and 30 minutes from its previous home in Lorne, Pennyroyal Plains is a spectacular and never-before-used event location.
“The space is truly special. We fell in love with its gentle topography and sweeping open spaces, which has created the opportunity for Falls to transform its new landscape into a deeper and more immersive festival experience.”

Tourism, Hospitality and Events Minister Sarah Courtney said the decision was disappointing for Tasmanians.

“We have engaged closely with the organisers of Falls Festival through Events Tasmania in recent months, and we understand that this hasn’t been an easy decision for them following the impact of the pandemic on their business,’’ Ms Courtney said.
“I would like to thank Falls Festival for their investment in Tasmania over the last 17 years, which has attracted thousands of visitors to the state and provided a boost to Tasmania’s summer economy.
“The Government is continuing to engage closely with the events and hospitality sector … and look forward to future summer events and concerts across Tasmania.

“Tasmania has a track record of producing home-grown talent, and fostering unique and popular events.
“We look forward to continuing to maximise opportunities for our highly talented local musicians, and other local businesses, such as food vendors, which allow us to have such a vibrant event sector.’’

Heat is on for fire plans

AS the Tasmanian fire season approaches, authorities say it’s important to have a plan and know your options.

Community Bushfire Protection Planning is a national initiative which assists in identifying safety options during a bushfire threat.

The Tasmania Fire Service works with communities, local government, service providers and other government agencies to create a Community Bushfire Protection Plan and implement risk management strategies.

Each plan is tailored to the individual community to best suit its needs. Tasmania Fire Service’s Bushfire Risk Mitigation Manager Chris Collins said it was important for people to be prepared, regardless of whether they choose to stay at their property or leave it.

“Understanding risks and taking steps to mitigate them is important for all members of the community, but especially those living in bushfire prone areas,’’ Mr Collins said.
“We want to make sure that people are informed, prepared and ready for when a bushfire strikes.’’

Community Bushfire Protection Plans provide advice on what to do:

• Before the fire;
• When fires are likely or nearby; and
• After the fire.
There are currently 133 Community Bushfire Protection Plans in place across the state, with nine new plans being developed this year for release before the fire season, including at Premaydena.

Additionally, six existing plans have been updated including Coles Bay and Falmouth.

To see your local area’s Community Bushfire Protection Plan visit the TFS website at http://www.fire.tas.gov.au.

Fishing future planned

A TEN-year strategy to protect, promote and improve recreational sea fishing has been released.

With Tasmania having some of the highest rates of fishing participation in the world, with more than 100,000 Tasmanians going recreational fishing each year, the strategy looks at sustainability, responsible fishing community involvement and making it easier for people to go fishing.

Fisheries Minister and Lyons MP Guy Barnett said recreational sea fishers made a significant contribution to Tasmania’s economy with an estimated $160 million a year spent on accommodation, fuel, bait, tackle and other equipment.

“The 10-year Recreational Sea Fishing Strategy recognises the social and economic importance of recreational fishing and outlines a forward-thinking approach to the future of marine recreational fisheries that includes a new vision and core principles to guide decision-making,’’ Mr Barnett said.
“The strategy outlines 54 actions under six key outcome areas including fisheries sustainability, promoting responsible fishing, community involvement, valuing recreational fishing, making it easier for people to go fishing and improving support for fishing.

So far, the Government has pledged $2.9 million to provide and upgrade fishing infrastructure and implement key actions under the strategy including rebuilding sand flathead stocks through a new Flathead for the Future program.

The strategy makes a commitment to develop harvest plans for priority species including abalone, rock lobster, calamari, flathead and emerging species such as King George whiting, snapper and yellowtail kingfish.

“The strategy also aims to strike the right balance between today’s fishers and ensuring healthy fish stocks in future.

The strategy also includes the establishment of a Working Group to identify pathways to transition away from the use of recreational gill nets over the next 10 years.

Visit http://www.fishing.tas.gov.au/ rec-strategy.

Shows on the brink

TASMANIA’S large-scale rural events such as Agfest and regional agricultural shows could become unviable because of continuing Covid restrictions.

The State Government has shown no interest in changing event caps while other states such as Victoria plan to do so at 90 per cent vaccination rate.

Royal Agricultural Society of Tasmania chief executive Scott Gadd said Tasmania is squandering the opportunities presented by the state’s ultra-low Covid-19 cases.

Premier Peter Gutwein said Tasmania’s position was “the envy of the nation”.

Last month’s Royal Hobart Show operated at a limited capacity resulting in a significant financial loss.

After cancellation of several rural shows and regional events in the past two years, many events will continue to struggle under limitations.

“Ultimately the 5000-person cap is not sustainable for us financially,” Mr Gadd said. “If it stays, we won’t be able to continue,” he said.

Mr Gadd said he expected a loss of about $200,000.

Covid restrictions could hamper next year’s premier field day event, Agfest.

Normally Agfest would attract more than 60,000 people and pump more than $27 million into the local economy.

From November 1 , free-moving events in Tasmania are still capped at 5000 attendees under the State Government’s Revised Event Framework.

For the Royal Hobart Show, if that capacity was reached across the six sessions held across four days, they could have hoped for a maximum of 30,000 visitors.

With the Wednesday sessions being cancelled due to the snap lockdown over the weekend before, it was estimated about 22,000 people attended across the remaining three days.

In an interrupted 2019 show, more than 40,000 people walked through the gate. Several regional shows and events have previously said restricted conditions made them difficult to financially justify.

A new committee organising the Koonya Garlic Festival next February is defying convention and working at putting on the event despite restrictions.

Tourism, Hospitality and Events Minister Sarah Courtney was contacted for an updated timeframe for restrictions being lifted on larger-scale events.

“As we prepare to open our borders on December 15 it will be important for some restrictions to remain in place to keep Tasmanians safe,” a spokesman said.