Hello
Tassie On My Mind, November 2014
- going the distance
Welcome to the November 2014 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.
Going the distance - and more! This seems to be the spirit of Tasmania, based on what I've been reading lately about Australia's beautiful island state.
Read on to see what I mean...
This issue:
- Max Angus
- Top Racers
- Winning Destination
- Maria Island Walk
- Eat, Drink and Be Merry
Plus... your chance to be a part of tasmania-attractions.com!
Max Angus
Have you heard of Tasmanian artist Max Angus? He just turned 100!
His most well-known images are those of Lake Pedder - he has kept painting the lake from memory, long after it was flooded as part of a controversial hydro-electric power scheme.
Max even spoke at a government inquiry into the flooding of Lake Pedder. His words inspired Bob Brown, former Greens leader and Tasmanian resident who has said:
"The beauty of his presentation, you had to be spellbound and taken into Lake Pedder by the magnificence of his voice and the poetry of his words. I've never forgotten that.
It became for me a bit of mentoring - I didn't know - for 10 years later when I'd be out there doing my best for the Franklin River. So I owe a lot to Max Angus."
With his wife of 74 years, Thedda, Max now lives at an aged care facility which has been turned into an unofficial Max Angus art gallery. According to Keith Burke, the Tasmanian Director of
Uniting AgeWell, three exhibitions have already been held at the home, and they've all been sell-outs!
In celebration of Max's 100th birthday, there is an exhibition at Colville Gallery in Hobart.
As gallery director Trudi Young commented:
"He would have to be Australia's oldest living, practising artist... He's so iconic, and so part of Tasmania."
And how does the exhibition make Max feel? As he put it:
"It's a very satisfying feeling, almost to the point where you think, 'Did you do that?'"
Max Angus is truly an inspiration in so many ways!
Visit the Colville Gallery website for more information about the exhibition.
Top Racers
Have you heard of Buckle Up Wes?
I'm referring to Tasmania's greyhound hero who has already scored 30 wins from 49 starts and $551,485 in prizemoney. And a win in the upcoming Melbourne Cup would take his prizemoney to $981,000, an Australian record.
Owned by Sharon Sutton and Robyn Johnson, Buckle Up Wes is trained by local greyhound racing legend Ted Medhust at Mangalore.
According to Sutton:
"For me it’s not about the money it’s about the thrill this dog gives people, especially Dad. It’s a once in a lifetime experience."
He will race in the heats of the Group One Melbourne Cup at Sandown Park in Melbourne on November 13.
Apart from greyhound racing, Tasmania boasts the best standardbred in the country. Beautide was recently named the Australian Pacer of the Year after winning the Group One Miracle Mile and Interdominion Championship.
Go Tasmanian racers!
Winning Destination
Lonely Planet has just named Tasmania the No.4 must-see region in the world.
The well known travel publication described the island state as "wild and dramatic, cultured and quirky, isolated yet accessible" and containing "a lifetime’s worth of adventures".
The following locations were highlighted:
- Port Arthur Historic Site - a beautiful and disquieting reminder of the region’s brutal past
- Hobart - super-cool waterfront capital
- Cradle Mountain - quiet, eerie grandeur
- Franklin River - home to the state’s dark forested heart
- Bay of Fires - breathtaking beaches
- Tarkine Wilderness - one of the world’s most significant temperate rainforests
- MONA (Museum of Old and New Art) - uber-trendy
- Cascade Brewery - most bizarre sight, suggests the setting of a terrifying horror film
- Bruny Island - no better place to taste Tassie on a plate
Lonely Planet has
certainly got it right!
Maria Island Walk
According to the editor of Vogue Living magazine, the Maria Island Walk is the best walk in Australia.
Not only that, the four-day walk is recommended as the top thing to do around the country this summer, from day trips to beach walks to luxury spas.
As described by the editor, the walk includes visiting beautiful beaches, wandering through blue gum forests, swimming in tranquil waters and watching native wildlife.
To me, Maria Island is a very tranquil place where you can enjoy splendid bush walks and admire natural wonders.
As for the four day walk itself, visit the Maria Island Walk website for more information.
Eat, Drink and Be Merry
That's easy to do in Tasmania this month, thanks to a couple of upcoming events:
Tasmanian International Beerfest
When: Friday 14th November 2014, 5pm to 11.30pm & Saturday 15th November 2014 12pm to 10pm
Where: Princes Wharf No 1, Hobart
Beer lovers can:
- meet brewers
- participate in a free beer master class
- and of course, taste beer - ranging from Tasmanian varieties to English bitters, ales and the oldest beers in the world (from Belgium)
"Simple The Best" Tasmanian Food & Wine Expo
When: Saturday 29th November, 10am to 4pm
Where: Royal Hobart Showground, 2 Howard Road Glenorchy
This is an annual event celebrating award-winning Tasmanian wine and local produce.
Following the Wrest Point Wine Show, this event gives members of the public the opportunity to taste all the medal winning red and white wines including Tasmanian’s internationally regarded cool climate Pinot
Noirs. Local salmon, cheese and artisan producers will also be available.
Well that's it for this issue.
Another exciting Tasmanian event coming up is BOFA or Breath of Fresh Air Film Festival. This is an annual film festival using screen-based storytelling to inspire positive change. For more information, visit the BOFA website.
See you next time!
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.
