TASSIE the calf has become quite a celebrity since Tasmanian Country newspaper published Anita Poulsen’s picture of one of the latest arrivals on the family’s King Island farm.
Picked up by social and mainstream media online, the picture is cute, Tassie, topical, and branding all in one package.
“When it turned around and looked at me, I thought ‘oh wow look at that’,” Anita told Tasmanian Country.
“I just thought it was really cute.”
Tassie is one of about 3000 that will be born this year as part of the family’s Angus and Hereford beef operations, which explains the distinctive white markings that have come from Tassie’s Hereford mum.
Producing, fattening and processing cattle on King Island and raising teenagers keeps Anita and her husband Mark busy most of the time, but Anita does find time for another passion – leatherwork.
Anita found leatherwork before coming to King Island about six years ago.
“I found Mark’s grandfather’s leatherwork tools in a shed and thought I’d give that a go,” she said at the weekend’s Produce of King Island market.
“It’s enjoyable, relaxing, creative and practical. Most of my leathercraft skills are self-taught, and from YouTube and video watching.
“I enjoy making all-in-one plaited leather belts. A mystery braid, that’s where you plait the leather back on itself, and you keep going until you have the length you want in the place you want it. It’s a great way to add texture and interest to a basic belt without hardware.”
With a brush of fingers over Anita’s durable leather, you understand the meaning of “quality” and made to last a lifetime.
The full leathers are purchased off-island and are turned into journal covers of all sizes, bill folds, belts, bridles, holsters, bags and even whips. Anita said that most of her leather work comes from requests for custom orders, which she enjoys due to the personal nature when making items.
“Today’s POKI market has been good as I have sold items from the table, but I have also taken custom orders, and that’s great.”
Back to Tassie – the popular media calf. King Islanders were quick to point out on social media that the island was left off Tassie’s map, and the wits posted, “So what’s unusual about that?”
“It is a heifer so it will stay,” Anita said, “we’re slowly moving to Angus, but for the time being, we’re happy to keep the ones with a bit of white on them.”