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Wine just what Doctor ordered

A NEW wine processing facility has begun operations filling a void in the market by helping small producers take their grapes from vine to bottle to customer.

Dr Island at Cambridge is a partnership between James Broinowski of Small Island Wines and Peter Dredge of Dr Edge.

It’s role is to provide equipment, know-how and accessibility for smaller-scale producers and winemakers to get their products made and bottled.

Both producers source their grapes from multiple regions in Tasmania as well as producing wine for growers in those regions.

Mr Broinowski said since he founded Small Island Wines in 2015, and as they grew alongside the Tasmanian wine industry, they noticed that processing became harder to find on the small scale.

“We identified a bit of a niche, a lot of Tasmanian farmers are diversifying, putting in vineyards, and then the vineyards becoming a key part of the business but without the downstream facilities to process their product, to turn in to wine, because the ones that exist already are full,” Mr Broinowski said.
“The idea is people can have their wine made by us, they send down their grapes and we take over from there, all the way to the bottle.
“We are focusing on a lot of smaller producers, we can give that attention to a lot of small, individual vineyards, like what we do ourselves.”

Currently catering for about 200 tonnes of product from about 20 Tasmanian producers ranging from two to 80 tonnes, they have begun to expand their operations towards the 500 tonne mark, with the aim of reaching up to 900 tonnes of product in the future.

The facility also bottles the producer’s wine at a rate of 1000-1500 bottles per hour.

“In December, this was a patch of dirt, we’ve gone pretty hard at building over this year to open for the upcoming season, but we’ve already started working.”

Down the track, Dr Island will also add a cellar door to their operations, to offer an avenue for customers to directly access the produce of smaller Tasmanian vineyards.

Make a date for fine wine

MORE than 35 vineyards in Southern Tasmania will open their doors to the public during the last weekend of October for a new wine festival celebrating the promise of a new vintage and a chance to sample the very best our world-class wine producers have to offer.

From Friday, October 29, to Sunday, October 31, wine producers large and small will offer wine tastings, food and entertainment throughout the Coal River Valley, Huon Valley, D’Entrecasteaux Channel and Derwent Valley.

Wine lovers from Tasmania and visitors from interstate will have an unparalleled opportunity to sample exceptional wines which can be hard to find or available only in limited quantities.

Many of the participating wineries will be offering attendees the first opportunity to sample their fresh aromatic white wines and roses from the outstanding 2021 vintage and will be opening special bottles from their cellars.

Hosted by Wine South Tasmania, Spring in the Vines festival is an inaugural event created by southern Tasmanian wine producers.

Wine South Tasmania President Keira O’Brien said spring was one of the most beautiful times of the year in our vineyards “as new green shoots emerge, and wine producers catch their breath before the busy growing season’’

Tasman in vax lead

LOCALS are in a race to the finish to get 90 per cent of the community vaccinated against Covid by the first day of summer.

“Spring into summer by getting vaccinated’’ is the new saying from the State Government.

“Tasmanians have done an excellent job so far in rolling up their sleeves, with over 50 per cent of people aged over 16 now fully vaccinated, and nearly 70 per cent having had one dose,’’ Premier Peter Gutwein said.

“This is a race, and that’s why we are asking Tasmanian’s to spring into summer so we are able to begin preparing to live with Covid in a careful and responsible way, informed by Public Health advice.

“We’ll be aiming to get 80 per cent fully vaccinated by Melbourne Cup Day on November 2, and 90 per cent by the first day of summer on December 1.
“This is where I want our state to be so that we can confidently open up for Christmas and summer.’’

The Tasman Municipality has one of the highest vaccine rates in Tasmania.

Under the national plan, there needs to be an average of 80 per cent of eligible people vaccinated before any state can open up and reduce travel restrictions.

“We expect the country to hit that mark sometime later in November,’’ Mr Gutwein said.
“Currently we have border restrictions in place with New South Wales and Victoria and following the release of Victoria’s reopening plan we will consider this and also NSW’s plan and provide further detail on Tasmania’s plan.
“The additional steps we are taking to achieve our targets include opening up the availability of Pfizer and Moderna to those aged 60 and over.
“The amount of Pfizer available to GPs has also now doubled and Moderna vaccine is now available in Tasmania for people aged 12 and over, for the first time.
“By the October 1 it will be widely available across more than 50 community pharmacies across the state.
“Right now, state clinics have provided more than 50 per cent of doses to eligible Tasmanians, but to hit our targets we will need all our GP clinics to lift to at least, if not above, 50 per cent dose supply.’’

He said the Government was open to providing support to help GPs and pharmacies open after hours to provide more vaccinations.

“Tasmanians have been doing a fantastic job, but we need a spring surge to hit these targets, and we continue to ask all Tasmanians to do the right thing and get both your Covid vaccinations, so we can return to a more normal way of living.’’

Public space options

LEFT: Option 1 is similar in size and shape to the original proposal but with full width steps, replacing the slide.
RIGHT: Option 2 has a slightly larger footprint with amphitheatre terraced seating widening at the base.

GLAMORGAN Spring Bay Council has released options for the Bicheno Triangle Project.

The project is being undertaken by council in partnership with the Bicheno Community Development Association Inc (BCDA) and will be developed on council-owned public space.

The BCDA on behalf of the Bicheno community has been working closely with council on the development of the Bicheno Triangle design.

The Triangle is currently under-utilised public space in the centre of the township, directly adjacent the Tasman Highway, the main route through the town,’’ a spokesperson said.

It is a site that the community and council have struggled with in terms of how best to design and develop the space in a way that benefits the community economically and socially.

It has been perceived as ‘dead space’ on a site that should be a visitor hub for Bicheno.

The site offers an ideal opportunity to create a multiple use landscaped area that encourages visitors to stop, take a break and explore the town and in particular visit the local businesses and retail outlets, which surround this area.’’

The second and final stage of the master plan includes a lookout structure with integrated public amenities new pavements, pedestrian thresholds, seating, barbecue and picnic shelters and landscaping.

The Bicheno Triangle Project is being designed by landscape architect James Birrell of Place Design Group.

This is in keeping with the East Coast Regional Tourism Organisation’s (ECRTO) and GSBC’s vision for a series of interesting, well-designed experiential buildings and spaces along the Great Eastern Drive.

The 2018-19 financial year saw the completion of Stage 1 of the two stage project with Civilscape being the successful tenderer.

Stage 1 involved the redevelopment of the car park area, through road, bus shelter and exposed aggregate footpaths.

Landscaping was established to compliment the civil works. The proposed structure for Stage 2 originally included a slide. The slide has been deleted due to safety concerns.

Two options for the structure are being considered for inclusion in the works. Both options replicate the original triangle theme and incorporate public amenities.

The inclusion of public amenities with the focal structure will provide a high quality facility with lower long term costs.

This will also free up the originally planned location for the amenities for additional parking (five spaces) and or charging bays.

Seafarers honoured

Kath Ferguson

THE annual Tasmanian Seafarers’ Memorial service will be held later this month at Triabunna after a cancellation last year due to the pandemic.

Organisers are hoping that, subject to continued positive health advice, the event will bring together members of the state’s maritime organisations for the service and for the traditional Blessing of the Fleet.

There are now 129 plaques installed on the memorial recording the loss of 1560 souls in Tasmanian waters or Tasmanians lost at sea somewhere in the world.

Three new plaques were added this year, recording the loss of two fishermen Walter Coulson of Dover in 1961, and Kevin (Bruce) Haigh of Orford who fished out of Triabunna.

The third plaque commemorates the loss in 1850 of the Lady Denison’ with 42 on board, which disappeared in rough weather on a voyage from South Australia to Hobart.

The service will be held at the memorial, by the Triabunna Marina, on Sunday October 17 at 10.50am for 11am.

Oysters lead tourism push

A FUNKY oyster shack at Dolphin Sands on the East Coast will be the launch pad for this year’s Tasmanian Seafood Trail, designed to reinvigorate the local tourism and aquaculture sector.

The Tasmanian Seafood Industry Council has chosen Melshell Oyster Shack for the launch which promotes seafood tourism. And the launch will involve local school children, the Swansea Men’s Shed and other local businesses.

To be launched on Friday October 29, the Industry Council developed the seafood trail to fill a gap in awareness of the seafood available in Tasmania.

The trail event features shops, farms and active wharf destinations. With fewer than 60 students, the Swansea Primary School will contribute to the launch by unveiling their colouring tile tactile mural wall at the shack.

School principal Kristy Hay said she was quick to get involved when approached by Melshell to be involved in the project.

“When we are invited to participate in creative and cultural experiences within our local community, we help our students feel a sense of connectedness and achievement,” Ms Hay said.
“Working together on projects such as this, is more than just cooperation.
“By sharing and developing ideas with small local businesses our learners engage in new ways of thinking.’’

On launch day students will take part in oyster farming activities and learning about the industry.

They will be grading oysters, dressing up as an oyster farmer, and having an oyster sack race.

The media launch will help highlight the East Coast’s valuable seafood sector.

The Melshell Oyster Shack was originally established as a side gig to the oyster farm in 2015.

“It quickly became the main revenue stream for the business with tourists flocking for the freshest oysters served with oyster farming secrets and a view of the oyster leases,’’ Cassie Melrose said.

With 60 per cent of visitors being international tourists, the family was greatly impacted by Covid in 2020 and closed Melshell Oyster Shack.

The farm continued producing quality oysters and diverted the sales to Melbourne. In 1984 the Melrose family began growing oysters in the Swan River.

Anne, Don and their son Ian Melrose moved from Sydney to become oyster farmers with a “trial and error” approach.

Don Melrose, an industrial chemist, Ian “Macgyver” Melrose a mechanic and Anne Melrose the optimist and problem solver turned out to be a dynamic trio.

Cassie joined the family and the farm after marrying Ian in 2001.

In 2015 Cassie and Ian acted on the increased number of enquiries from tourists for fresh oysters and the lack of availability of premium seafood on the coast at that time.

“We bought a caravan from a neighbour for $100, stripped it, whacked in a display fridge and popped it near the farm gate,’’ Cassie Melrose said.
“It took a while to generate awareness but was greatly assisted by a Tourism Tasmania advertising campaign.’’

Little school with big ambition

DUNALLEY Primary School continues to strive for excellence, by securing several pilot programs to ensure staff and students gain access to the most up-to-date evidence-based programs supported by the Department of Education.

In 2020 Dunalley Primary was selected to trial and test the internal audit tool for the National Quality Standard in Kindergartens validation process.

This focussed on the school providing evidence for the seven quality areas which are classified as important for developing positive outcomes for all children in the early learning setting.

These quality areas are also a priority in the DoE Strategic Plan relating the Early Learning. Through the dedication and hard work of kinder teacher Eliza-Kate Turvey and supported by the skilled teacher assistants and principal Clare McVilly, Dunalley Primary recently undertook the NQS validation process.

The results were fantastic and the work that was produced will now be used to support other kindergartens throughout Tasmania as a benchmark when working toward their NQS validation process.

During 2021 the school has also been successful in becoming one of only 19 schools across the state to apply and be selected to work as part of a Numeracy Pilot Program.

The school is fortunate to be able to work closely with other pilot schools in the south, Rokeby and Howrah Primary School under the guidance and expertise of Dr Louise Hodgson.

The focus is to continue to build a systematic delivery of curriculum from Kinder to Year 6 with a priority on developing student problem-solving skills in mathematics.

This priority aligns with the Australian Curriculum Review, due to be endorsed at the end of 2021, which enables teachers to help students become self-motivated, confident learners.

Agents for change

A YOUNG Tasman Peninsula woman has won the Country to Canberra Leadership competition for her exceptional entry on how women and girls can empower each other and their communities in times of change.

Heidi Berry of Paredareme Country will represent Tasmania alongside Ulverstone’s Eloise Piper at this year’s virtual program, C2C On Screen.

This year, there are 15 winners in total.

“The entries this year were of exceptional quality, and many shared stories of the unique hardships and triumphs of rural life during the Covid19 pandemic” Country to Canberra CEO Han Worsley said.
“Heidi and Eloise will get to represent their communities and state, in this once-in-a-lifetime leadership opportunity,” Mr Worsley said.

Traditionally an all-expenses-paid trip to Canberra, this year’s Power Trip has been cancelled due to Covid-19.

Instead, the winners will take part in C2C On Screen (C2COS) on November 22 to 24. For the second year running, winners will participate in a multi-day virtual program, which will play host to a series of events including leadership workshops, meetings with state and federal politicians, and mentorship opportunities.

“C2COS saw an incredibly successful inaugural year in 2020, and we are proud to announce the return of this innovative program,’’ Mr Worsley said.
“In the face of the challenges of the past two years, this program provides opportunity and excitement to our rural and remote winners, and we are thrilled to build on the success of 2020 to deliver a memorable experience.’’

Ms Berry said she was lookng forward to representing lutruwita/Tasmania.

“I’m passionate about sustainability and entrepreneurship in regional and rural communities,’’ Ms Berry said.
“I’m excited to meet other winners.” Mr Worsley said C2C’s mission was to empower all young rural women and non-binary people to reach their leadership potential, which is why we ran the leadership competition.

Isle of Dead tours return

PORT Arthur’s world-famous heritage Isle of the Dead has undergone significant conservation and is now ready for visitors to return.

The $1.3 million project focused on reducing the impact of visitors and improving access.

The Isle of the Dead, lying in the waters of Mason Cove, was the principal burial ground for the Port Arthur penal station between 1833 and 1877.

It is estimated that more than 800 convicts are buried on the island, mostly in unmarked graves.

Port Arthur Heritage Site Management Authority’s conservation manager Pamela Hubert said the recently-completed project provided continuous above ground walkways with a series of viewing platforms that would enhance the very popular Isle of the Dead Cemetery tours.

“The project has been carefully designed to ensure minimal impacts on significant burial areas, landscape elements and views of the island.
“This project has been carefully planned and undertaken in five stages to ensure that the work could be achieved while still allowing access to the island for the majority of the visitor season.’’

This project started in 2016, with the aim of reducing impacts on the grave areas, improving accessibility and improving the visitor experience.

The first stage of the project was made possible by a grant of $80,000
from the Commonwealth Government’s Protecting National
Historic Sites program.

“The new walkways not only increase accessibility by replacing stairs with ramps, they also improve the visitor experience with better viewing platforms and gathering spaces for tours.’’
“It is important to acknowledge that the island is still the resting place of about
1000 people and this project demonstrates our continuing
respect for the island as a cemetery and as a place of reflection” said PAHSMA archaeology manager Dr David Roe.

The Port Arthur Historic Site, along with Cascades Female Factory Historic Site, Coal Mines Historic Site, Darlington Probation Station on Maria Island, and Brickendon and Woolmers Estates, account for five of the 11 sites that comprise the Australian Convict Sites World Heritage Property.
“This is a significant milestone in the ongoing conservation of the Isle of the Dead,’’
Ms Hubert said.

“We are delighted to have completed this project and along with the development of a new History and Interpretation Centre at the Cascades Female Factory opening in early 2022, shows PAHSMA’s commitment to ensuring the compelling stories of our Australian convict history are shared.’’

Before Covid, Port Arthur Historic Site was the most popular tourism destination in Tasmania.

Eyes on export prize

TASMANIA’S strong export relationships and premium offerings have seen the agriculture and viticulture sectors pivot despite Chinese boycotts.

Visiting Tasmania this week, Federal Finance Minister and former Trade Minister Simon Birmingham said despite the “speed bumps’’, Australian farmers had found new and growing markets to compensate for China’s bans.

Speaking at Pooley’s Wine at Richmond, Senator Birmingham said Australian farmers and particularly with those premium offerings out of Tasmania will continue to have a very high level of confidence in the future.

“Australia’s fundamentals are something very few countries in the world can offer, particularly when visiting wineries like this which are pursuing natural-based methods of production, pristine environments, that offer some of the highest-quality products to the world with really strong value propositions around their environmental credentials, their quality of product and its recognition,’’ Senator Birmingham said.
“Those things will overcome almost any other challenge that is put in place.
“We have seen just how well some sectors have been able to pivot in relations to the challenges imposed by China.
“Our barley industry has sent shipments to Mexico for the first time, we have see significant growth in the Middle East, our live seafood trade has seen a return of growth in Hong Kong, Vietnam and it shows, yes, there may be difficulties that occur in one part of the world, but the opportunities to pivot elsewhere are quite strong. “Clearly we want to have as many trade offerings as possible. That’s why as a government we pursued trade agreement not just with China, but with Korea, Japan with Indonesia and with the UK and the regional groupings through the Trans Pacific Partnership and across South East Asia which are giving our exporters maximum choices and opportunities.’’

In response to France raising concerns within the European Union about trade with Australia, in reaction to the cancellation of the Federal submarine contract, Senator Birmingham said the EU was partnership of 27 member states.

“When you talk to exporters like Pooley’s Wines here who sell the vast majority of their wine within Australia, but then have niche offerings into the UK and certain parts of Europe which have been built over years and those relationships which ultimately deliver sales.”

On the issue of China refusing to discuss its boycott with the Australian Government Senator Birmingham said it was “deeply frustrating’’.

“We have been steady and consistent in our view that governments should have dialogue and that is the best way to work through differences and it’s one of the deeply frustrating things about China’s response that the first thing they shut down is dialogue and it becomes harder for parties to work through their differences. “We are willing to talk, the ball is very much in their court.’’

While in Tasmania, Senator Birmingham held meetings with businesses to discuss options available to them out of the Federal Budget.

“It’s been a challenging two years, it’s pleasing the economic supports have helped sustain business, and many have pivoted to service,” he said.