Hello
Tassie On My Mind, February 2013
- creative fire
Welcome to the February 2013 issue of Tassie On My Mind, a free monthly newsletter keeping you informed of the latest news on what makes Tasmania such an attractive travel destination.
I was sad to hear about the bushfire victims in Tasmania, and elsewhere in Australia. My thoughts and best wishes go out to everyone affected.
Let's remember that positive fire too continues to burn within the hearts and minds of many people, creating good outcomes.
Read on to see what I mean...
This issue:
- Stay fit and have fun
- Keeping our Devils going
- Launceston is number 1
- Turning 25
- Tasmania has the answer
Plus... your chance to be a part of tasmania-attractions.com!
Stay fit and have fun
Skateboarding, cycling and running are just three of the many ways you can stay fit and have fun while doing it.
Interested? Then join in these upcoming events:
Skateboarding workshops
Interested in skateboarding? Never tried it before? Whatever the case may be, find out more at free skateboarding workshops and events this month.
Visit the Skateboarding Australia website for more information.
Great Escapade
Escape with your bike on a nine-day bike riding holiday. Start from Launceston on Saturday 9 February, and travel through many of Tasmania's beautiful towns.
Visit the Bicycle Network website for more information.
Run the bridge
On 17th February, you can take in some of the most iconic areas in Clarence and Hobart, while enjoying a good run. Join the 3rd Hobart Run the Bridge, a 10km fun run - starting at Bellerive Oval, crossing the Tasman Bridge and finishing in Salamanca.
Visit the Run the Bridge website for more information.
Keeping our Devils going
By now, you would have heard about the deadly Tasmanian Devil disease which has caused a significant drop in our beloved Tasmanian Devil population.
The Save the Tasmanian Devil Program was established to investigate the disease and identify management options. It has so far been an outstanding success. This year, program participants are able to declare that the Devil is unlikely to become extinct.
While I'm happy to hear that, I know that's not to say the Devil has been saved, for certain.
It's good to know though, that targets for capturing and breeding healthy Devils (to build "insurance" populations) have been exceeded.
In areas where the disease first appeared, populations have unexpectedly stabilised.
And recently some two to three-year-old devils, which would normally have died, have been found alive and well in eastern Tasmania.
Let's hope these are signs that the disease is less out-of-control, and our Devils are well and truly on their way back!
Launceston is number 1
That's right, Australia's third oldest city and Tasmania's second largest city has been named the most family-friendly city in Australia.
According to the Suncorp Bank report titled the "Family Friendly City Index", Launceston's cheap housing and good education (outweighing low incomes and high unemployment) places the city at number 1.
The index factored 10 indicators including education, health, crime rates, income, connectivity and unemployment.
According to Suncorp Bank executive manager Craig Fenwick, the survey found that increasingly, the larger, stressful, crowded urban jungles and under-serviced eastern seaboard capitals were being upstaged by regional cities. He said:
"The results reveal for the first time that many regional cities have a better balance of job opportunities, housing affordability, income, school sizes, health services, broadband access and lower crime rates."
I still remember a wonderful visit to Launceston, when I saw the Cataract Gorge Reserve for the first time.
Turning 25
I'm referring to the Tasmanian Wool Centre at Ross. The largest retailer of woollens in Tasmania celebrates its 25th Anniversary this month.
To mark the occasion - on Sunday 17 February from 10am, there will be
- sheep shearing demonstrations,
- sheep dog trials, plus
- displays and demonstrations by the members of the Tasmanian Hand weavers, Spinners and Dyers Guild
Ivan Heazlewood will be present, signing copies of his book "From the Sheep Pen".
Plus the Ross Market will be open!
Visit the Ross Visitor Information Centre website for more information.
Tasmania has the answer
Looking for a good play? Outdoors or indoors, if you're looking for top entertainment, Tasmania is the place to be.
Outdoors
How about some classic Shakespeare in one of Hobart's most beautiful garden settings?
As You Like It is about love at first sight, being misled but finally a happy ending. The play is being performed at the Royal Botanical Gardens and features lots of local talent.
Visit the Shakespeare In The Gardens website for more information.
Indoors
Presented by the Launceston Players, Emerald City is about a couple who move from Melbourne to Sydney and experience a clash of cultures. Apparently, there could be a Tasmanian answer to the problem!
Featuring some of Launceston's best performers, Emerald City will be performed at the Earl Arts Centre, Launceston from 15th to 23rd February.
Well that's it for this issue.
Want to help Tasmania recover from the impact of the recent bushfires? Visit Tasmania and spend your time and money there. As Tourism Industry Council Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin said,
"Tasmania is open for business... The great attractions which bring people to these regions are still there and have not been diminished."
Go ahead, enjoy Tasmania!
See you in March!
To contact me, click here.
Here's your chance to be a part of
Tasmania-attractions.com!
One Day In Tasmania
What if you had just one day in Tasmania? Where would you go? What would you do?
Share your dream with us.
If selected, your dream will appear as a page at tasmania-attractions.com
It doesn't matter if you have never been to Tasmania. I would love to hear your thoughts too. It's easy to find out about Tasmania, at tasmania-attractions.com or elsewhere.
This is your chance. Join in the fun. Share your thoughts with us.
We all gain so much from each other's ideas.
Hit us with your best shot
Your best wildlife shot, that is...
Have you ever been in just the right place at just the right time and snagged a great wildlife photo?
Share that photo with us.
We would love to see it. Not only that, we would love to get your tips on how you got the photo.
How did you manage not to scare the animal away? What did you do to prepare for the shot?
If selected, your photo and story will appear as a page at tasmania-attractions.com
This is your opportunity to shine. Let's share our stories around.
