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Tasmania to cover travel costs in exchange for these "odd jobs"

<p>Tasmania has just opened applications for 10 "odd jobs" that you could do in exchange for a free trip to the state. </p> <p>As part of Tourism Tasmania's latest campaign to entice winter visitors, they are offering to cover travel and accommodation costs in exchange for a few odd jobs. </p> <p>While the work is unpaid and only lasts a day or two, the chosen Aussies will also get a hire car and a hamper worth up to $500 of local Tasmania produce and memorabilia. </p> <p>One of the jobs on offer is a wombat walker at East Coast Natureworld in Bicheno.</p> <p>The wildlife park is looking for an animal and nature lover, who loves going out for walks to lead the furry animals on their morning waddles as part of their rehabilitation program. </p> <p>Another job on offer is a “paranormal investigator” who will help Tasmania’s Most Haunted in New Norfolk capture and document any disturbances, spectral figures or unexplained phenomena at Willow Court Asylum.</p> <p>They are looking for someone who is “attuned into interactions with the otherworldly” and respects the controversial history of Willow Court. </p> <p>Other jobs include a “truffle snuffler” at The Truffledore, which involves truffle hunting with a canine companion, a “wine whisperer” at Clover Hill, a “puffer nut” at West Coast Wilderness Railway and  “soaksmith” at Little Things Farm. </p> <p>They are also looking for an “oyster organiser”, a “star seeker” and “sauna stoker”. </p> <p>Anyone interested in taking these odd jobs must explain in 50 words or less why they want to swap their day job for the odd job in Tasmania. </p> <p>Applications are open from now until July 8 this year. </p> <p>The total value of the prize pool is up to $25,000. </p> <p>“More and more, we’re all looking for remedies through experience that make life feel simpler and less stressful," Tourism Tasmania chief marketing officer Lindene Cleary said. </p> <p>“Watching ‘cottagecore’ videos of people gardening and building cabins in the woods. Hobbies like cooking and reading are even trumping digital hobbies like gaming.</p> <p>"So, we extend a warm invite to Australians to apply for an odd job in Tasmania and wake up from their cool weather coma.”</p> <p><em>Images: Tourism Tasmania</em></p>

Domestic Travel

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Jumping castle operator in court over Hillcrest tragedy

<p>A jumping castle operator who was charged over the 2021 <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/children-killed-in-hillcrest-tragedy-identified-amid-overwhelming-support" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hillcrest Primary School tragedy</a> is expected to face court for the first time.</p> <p>Six children, Peter Dodt, Jye Sheehan, Jalailah Jayne-Maree Jones, Zane Mellor, Addison Stewart and Chace Harrison, were killed when the inflatable castle was lifted into the air on December 2021. </p> <p>The students were enjoying the end-of-year celebrations with their classmates on the oval of the school in Devonport in Tasmania's northwest, when the tragic incident occurred. </p> <p>Rosemary Anne Gamble, the operator who worked for Taz-Zorb - the company who supplied and set up the castle - was charged in November after failing to comply with workplace health and safety requirements. </p> <p>It is alleged that the castle was tethered at four of its eight anchorage points and the pegs  recommended by the manufacturer, or a suitable alternative, weren't installed properly. </p> <p>According to court documents, seven students were on the castle when it became dislodged and airborne due to a "significant" weather event, causing them to fall from a height of about 10 metres.</p> <p>A few others were <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/heartbreaking-detail-as-mother-of-jumping-castle-victim-speaks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reportedly</a> injured, with one nearby student being struck by the blower attached to the castle. </p> <p>It is alleged that Gamble failed to ensure the anchorage system was sufficient to prevent the castle from lifting, and failed to ensure there were pegs at each anchor point as per the manufacturer's instructions. </p> <p>It is also alleged that Gamble failed to provide adequate information, including manufacturer's operating manual to the two workers she was in charge of at the time. </p> <p>She is expected to face the Devonport Magistrates Court for the first time on Friday. </p> <p>Preparations for the coronial <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/update-on-inquest-into-hillcrest-primary-deaths" target="_blank" rel="noopener">inquest</a> was put on hold because of the criminal charges. </p> <p><em>Image: Twitter/ ABC News</em></p>

Legal

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“I hate him for what he did to my mummy”: Tragic statement from daughter of slain 23-year-old

<p>Queenslander Gabrielle "Gabbie" Marshall, 23, moved to Tasmania to build a new life and hoped to be reunited with her daughter in the future. </p> <p>Her killer, Colin William Drake, 37, lived on the same street just 230m away, and would later on stab her in a frenzied attack while she slept on the floor of her friend’s house in the coastal town of Ulverstone.</p> <p>Although Drake had no clear motive for the attack on June 14, 2021, he had been arrested and appeared in the Supreme Court of Tasmania on Wednesday after pleading guilty to murder.</p> <p>The Crown prosecutor Linda Mason SC, said that Gabbie suffered 17 stab wounds to her neck, arms and hands, in a desperate act to defend herself. </p> <p>In heartbreaking turn of events, Gabbie's parents Heidi and Rick Marshall paid tribute to their young daughter in court. </p> <p>“I saw two men approaching (our house) in suits. I knew they were detectives,”  Heidi recalled the moment she found out about her daughter's death. </p> <p>“I instantly knew something had happened to Gabrielle and my heart just broke.”</p> <p>Heidi said that Gabbie felt the safest in Tasmania, after getting out of a bad relationship and would call her parents every night to tell them she loved them. </p> <p>“Before her death she was the happiest she had ever been,” Gabbie's dad said. </p> <p>“Just like that she was gone,” Heidi said.</p> <p>“You never think anything like this would happen to your family.”</p> <p>Gabbie's daughter, who was six at the time, was playing on the deck when the detectives arrived and overheard the conversation. </p> <p>She "still sleeps with one of Gabbie’s jumpers,” Heidi said. </p> <p>Gabbie's daughter, who continues to live with her grandparents, has written a heart-wrenching statement which was also read in court. </p> <p>“When I hug my mummy’s jumper at night I get to talk to her,” the statement read. </p> <p>“(She) won’t be there to see me finish school. I hate him very much for what he did to my mummy.”</p> <p>The court was told that Drake, who is set to be sentenced in December, has a mild intellectual disability and a low IQ, sitting at the bottom 0.4 per cent of the population.</p> <p>The Crown prosecutor said that there were several possible motives including sexual jealousy, desire, or that he entered the house to steal something. </p> <p>She added that this is due to the sexualised comments he had made about women he saw while walking with his carer a few weeks prior. </p> <p>He had no connection with Gabbie or her friend. </p> <p>Defence lawyer Greg Barns SC said Drake had indicated to his legal advisers that he had remorse, and maintained that he went to the house to get cigarettes. </p> <p><em>Images: 7News</em></p>

Caring

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Tasmanian teen’s mum breaks down as she pays tribute to daughter

<p dir="ltr">Shyanne-Lee Tatnell’s mum Bobbi-Lee Ketchell broke down as she paid tribute to her daughter, on what would’ve been her 15th birthday.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 14-year-old’s <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/human-remains-found-in-search-for-missing-teenager" target="_blank" rel="noopener">remains were found on July 26</a> in a bush track near Nabowla, a rural locality northeast of Tasmania.</p> <p dir="ltr">A 36-year-old man from Scottsdale has since been <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/man-charged-with-murder-over-disappearance-of-missing-tasmanian-teen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">arrested</a> for her alleged murder.</p> <p dir="ltr">Shyanne-Lee’s family gathered at City Park in Launceston over the weekend to celebrate what was supposed to be a happy occasion, as she would have turned 15 on Tuesday.</p> <p dir="ltr">Her mother broke down in tears as she spoke publicly for the first time since the teen’s remains were found.</p> <p dir="ltr">Bobbi-Lee Ketchell told <em>7News</em> that finding her daughter’s remains “doesn’t make it hurt any less”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“This was not the outcome that we had hoped,” she added.</p> <p dir="ltr">“But I'm a blessed mum to have my child, to be able to farewell her. And she was taken too soon and she had her life ahead of her.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The picnic in the park featured plenty of teal, Shyanne-Lee’s favourite colour, and her mother thanked the community, her friends and family for their endless support.</p> <p dir="ltr">She also thanked emergency services for working tirelessly to find her daughter.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ketchell also thanked everyone who paid tribute to her daughter by creating a memorial for her on the Henry St Bridge, where she was last seen alive.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I can’t thank the people enough who did the memorial on the bridge,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It means a lot to our family,” she added.</p> <p dir="ltr">Shyanne-Lee’s siblings have remembered her as a kind sister who always made them laugh.</p> <p dir="ltr">“She was really nice,” her sister Lakeesha said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“A nice person, and a nice friend.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: 7News</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Man charged with murder over disappearance of missing Tasmanian teen

<p>A tragic turn of events has led to a murder charge after the <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/human-remains-found-in-search-for-missing-teenager" target="_blank" rel="noopener">discovery of remains</a> believed to belong to Shyanne-Lee Tatnell, a 14-year-old who had been missing in Tasmanian bushland for three months.</p> <p>The arrest of a 36-year-old man from Scottsdale, a rural town in the state's north-east, came after an extensive search in nearby Nabowla. The suspect is now in custody and expected to appear in Launceston Magistrates Court for further proceedings.</p> <p>Tasmania Police confirmed that the remains found on a bush track in Nabowla were human and likely to be Shyanne-Lee's, who was last seen in Launceston on the night of April 30.</p> <p>Northern district commander Kate Chambers expressed her heartfelt sympathy for the community and reaffirmed their commitment to seeking answers and closure for Shyanne-Lee's family and loved ones.</p> <p>While forensic testing on the remains is underway, it may take up to a week for conclusive results.</p> <p>Shyanne-Lee's mother, Bobbi-Lee Ketchell, posted an emotional message to her daughter following the revelation of the remains. The message accompanied a photo of the young girl with a beaming smile, and it read, "I'm home," which was a heartbreaking change from the previous plea, "Help bring me home."</p> <p>In the past two months, police have seized several items during their search efforts. A property in Scottsdale was declared a crime scene and thoroughly investigated. The search in Nabowla involved a massive team of 180 people, including helicopter crews and search-and-rescue volunteers on horseback.</p> <p>Shyanne-Lee was last seen on CCTV near the North Esk River in Launceston, approximately 50km southwest of Nabowla. Despite extensive searches in the river area, no trace of the teenager was found. She had been staying in youth accommodation for two weeks before her disappearance and was en route to visit a friend in nearby Ravenswood when she vanished.</p> <p>In June, more than 100 people, including Shyanne-Lee's family members, gathered for a touching vigil to remember her. The community has been deeply affected by this heartbreaking event, and authorities are dedicated to finding the truth and providing closure to the grieving family.</p> <p><em>Images: Facebook / PR Handout</em></p>

Legal

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Glorious private island hits the market

<p>A private island, sitting on about 27 hectares of land with a magnificent home offering 360-degree views of the water, has been posted online for sale.</p> <p>The “luxury bespoke” property was built with high-end finishes, and designed so “abundant sunshine reaches every inch of the home”.</p> <p>“It’s an incredible opportunity. There’s a fantastic panorama, the water surrounding you. It’s a pretty awesome part of the world,” Peterswald For Property agent Nick Morgan said.</p> <p>Located on Ram Island in Little Swanport, Tasmania, the property is suited to those looking to get away from the chaos of the city, he said.</p> <p>It offers two kitchens, three bedrooms, a study, a media room and two bathrooms.</p> <p>Peterswald For Property has listed it for $7 million dollars.</p> <p>“Harmonious indoor to outdoor living transitions from the main lounge and dining to a wrap-around north-facing timber deck, from where the views are simply magical and unmatched,” the online advertisement read.</p> <p>The home has been designed with an eco-friendly mindset and is supposed to be completely self-contained with 45kW solar, and 250,000-litre capacity water tanks.</p> <p>Visitors can access the island via boat with private jetty access.</p> <p>“Entertain within complete seclusion anywhere on the island, where birdlife visitors include oystercatchers, rosellas, white-bellied sea eagles, wedge-tailed eagles, and owls. Wallabies and kangaroos also appear frequently,” the advertisement said.</p> <p>“Take a short stroll from the main house to the water’s edge, via the outdoor fire pit, where dolphins and seals are known to frequent close to the shore.”</p> <p>Morgan revealed the current owner had purchased the piece of land on Tasmania’s east coast about 20 years ago, and the home has never been lived in.</p> <p>“We’ve had some good inquiries. Our marketing reach has been fantastic. I’ve had a number of inquiries from both local and interstate people,” he said.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Peterswald For Property</em></p>

Real Estate

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Chilling final moments of man who fell from Spirit of Tasmania

<p>Harrowing new details have emerged following <a href="http://www.apple.com/au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the death of a man</a> who fell overboard while travelling on the Spirit of Tasmania.</p> <p>The ferry company, which transports passengers between mainland Australia and Tasmania, was forced to turn one of its ships around after an alarm was sounded for a missing passenger.</p> <p>The vessel was headed toward Tasmania following its departure from Geelong when the incident occurred.</p> <p>The body of a 46-year-old man, from Cheltenham, southeast Melbourne, was later found off the coast of Geelong – almost two hours after he had boarded at Geelong dock.</p> <p>Witnesses reported the man spent his final moments standing on the top deck of the ship “looking on edge and agitated”.</p> <p>Speaking to the <em>Daily Mail Australia</em>, a man who wished to remain anonymous said, “My dad said he was looking a bit on edge or agitated … and changing seats constantly,”</p> <p>He added that passengers who saw the victim’s final moments were in varying states of “shock and disbelief”.</p> <p>There was confusion on board as some people believed the man was in a stable condition with an ambulance waiting at the dock.</p> <p>However, a spokesperson from the Spirit of Tasmania told the outlet that those reports were false and that there could not have been any confusion as there was a ship-wide announcement informing travellers that the passenger had died.</p> <p>The ship did not resume its journey to Devonport, instead, it returned to Geelong.</p> <p>“The man’s death is not being treated as suspicious,” a Victoria Police spokesperson said.</p> <p>A report will be prepared for the coroner.</p> <p>The incident comes just days after Brisbane man Warwick Tollemache, 35, <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/missing-cruise-ship-passenger-identified" target="_blank" rel="noopener">went overboard</a> on a Royal Caribbean ship bound for Hawaii.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Instagram</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Man dies after falling from Spirit of Tasmania ferry

<p>Australia's cruise industry has been struck with another tragedy, as a man has died after falling overboard while travelling on the Spirit of Tasmania. </p> <p>The ferry, which regularly carried passengers from mainland Australia to the small southern state, was forced to turn around on Sunday evening after an alarm sounded, signalling a passenger was missing. </p> <p>The vessel was on its way to Tasmania following its departure from its Geelong dock when the incident occurred.</p> <p>According to reports from the <em><a href="https://www.heraldsun.com.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Herald Sun</a></em>, multiple search crews, including air wing and water units, were deployed to search the water between Portarlington and St Leonards beaches off the Bellarine Peninsula just after 8pm. </p> <p>Not an hour later, the body of a man was recovered from the water, with the coroner now preparing their report. </p> <p>“The man’s death is not being treated as suspicious,” a Victoria Police spokesperson said. </p> <p>A spokesperson for the Spirit of Tasmania confirmed the vessel returned to Geelong by 10.50pm, but was unable to comment further until the coroner's report is released. </p> <p>The tragedy comes just days after another Australian man fell overboard while on a Royal Caribbean ship bound for Hawaii.</p> <p>The Brisbane man, <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/missing-cruise-ship-passenger-identified" target="_blank" rel="noopener">identified</a> as 35-year-old Warwick Tollemache, was travelling with his mother on the Quantum of the Seas when he fell into the water last Wednesday night, 1400km south of the island’s coast.</p> <p>Search and rescue efforts were called off on Friday, leaving the man’s family devastated. </p> <p>Warwick's family shared a statement on social media, saying, “Our family is heartbroken at the loss of our beloved Warwick.”</p> <p>“He was a kind, beautiful, and gentle soul who was adored by everyone who knew him. He will be deeply missed."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Tiny Tassie home comes under fire for steep rental rate

<p>A property up for rent in Tasmania’s Huon Valley has faced a wave of criticism over its rental asking price - at a staggering $175 per week for the freestanding, singular room. </p> <p>While the ‘home’ does boast stunning views as well as access to the main property’s amenities, most are in agreement that the asking price serves as a harsh reminder that Australia’s housing crisis is far from over. </p> <p>The advertisement first appeared on Facebook Marketplace, with a listing that declared it to be a “small fully insulated cabin with heat and power. Shared kitchen and bathroom. $175 [per] week!</p> <p>“On a rural bush setting with walking tracks, creeks and magnificent views. Just three-minute drive from Cygnet or 25-minute walk. Genuine inquiries only. Thank you.”</p> <p>Comments from irate viewers came in fast and furious, with even going so far as to post on Twitter about the listing, writing “this tiny wooden box is barely wider than a two-seater couch, has no bathroom, no kitchen, and is a 25 minute walk from Cygnet.</p> <p>“The owner wants $175 a week. If you had tried that on as little as five years ago, someone would have tossed you directly into the Tasman Sea.”</p> <p>“My chook pen is bigger than that,” a fellow user said in response. </p> <p>“I’ve seen better dog kennels,” someone else declared. </p> <p>And one even asked if the building had “approval as a habitable building”, while another asked if it was actually just a ‘dunny’. </p> <p>Luckily for the owner, the Tenants Union of Tasmania at least confirmed to <em>7NEWS.com.au</em> that “the property does meet the requirements of a ‘boarding premises’ under the Residential Tenancy Act 1997 (Tas).”</p> <p>The owner was of another opinion to the critics, however, reportedly telling <em>The Mercury</em> that “if people had actually reached out to me before having a crack they would see I am an honest guy trying to help people.</p> <p>“I share the main house with my 18-year-old daughter and we both work full-time jobs. I don't charge electricity, water or rates and I couldn't do it any cheaper with rising interest rates.”</p> <p>And as he also told <em>7NEWS</em>, “I thought, coming into winter, it’s going to be pointless having a good home there [if it’s not being used], and if I can share the cost of living with somebody, my daughter and I would be happy to have the right tenant to come along.”</p> <p><em>Images: Twitter</em></p>

Real Estate

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Man who killed 350 kookaburras ordered to pay fine

<p>A Tasmanian man who shot and killed 350 kookaburras because they were affecting his native wildlife has been fined $5,000 by a judge for not holding the appropriate firearms licence.</p> <p>Neil Gordon Whitford, 60, from Deviot, admitted in the Supreme Court in Launceston he shot the kookaburras over a nine-month period in 2021 using a semi-automatic rifle.</p> <p>The court heard Mr Whitford had held a Category A firearms licence since 1996, but he required a Category C licence for the rifle used to cull the birds.</p> <p>Justice Robert Pearce said during sentencing on Monday that Mr Whitford’s 15-acre rural property had been “invaded” by a large number of kookaburras in 2021 after bushfires close by.</p> <p>Justice Pearce said he could not take into account the number of kookaburras culled for sentencing.</p> <p>“Kookaburras are not native to Tasmania,” Justice Pearce said.</p> <p>"I'm advised that a cull is not unlawful … I'm dealing only with the firearms offences."</p> <p>Kookaburras were introduced to Tasmania in the early 1900s to control snakes.</p> <p>Although the birds are protected in most other parts of Australia, they are not in Tasmania, and according to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmnia, there is no permit required to manage them.</p> <p>In 2020, the Greens and other bird conservationists called for a Tasmanian kookaburra cull after reports the birds’ aggressive behaviour was disrupting other native species, however, that idea was rejected by the Gutwein Liberal state government.</p> <p>Justice Pearce also said the rifle Mr Whitford used was “suitable” for pest control, but he knowingly possessed it and used it without obtaining the appropriate firearms licence.</p> <p>The court was told Mr Whitford had owned the gun for decades, but rather than disposing of it when gun laws changed in 1996, he disassembled it and stored it in a gun safe until he started using it again for pest control in 2021.</p> <p>Police located the unregistered rifle and silencer at Mr Whitford’s property on November 3, 2021.</p> <p>Justice Pearce said Mr Whitford had no relevant prior convictions, and his neighbours “attest to his skill” around pest control.</p> <p>He said there was no risk to any person or other animals in this case.</p> <p>Justice Pearce said the weapon could, however, be used inappropriately in the wrong hands.</p> <p>Mr Whitford has been given 28 days to pay his $5,000 fine.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Shutterstock</em></p>

Legal

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Australia’s ‘most isolated’ property could be yours

<p dir="ltr">A parcel of land in Tasmania is up for grabs, but unlike other vacant lots on the market right now, this one offers seclusion and undisturbed ocean views.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 100-acre lot is located on the western side of King Island, Bungaree, overlooking the Southern Ocean.</p> <p dir="ltr">According to <a href="https://www.domain.com.au/253-buttons-road-bungaree-tas-7256-2017573996?gclid=Cj0KCQiAg_KbBhDLARIsANx7wAw9ka8CM9bZOC-j1ZlJxaoSebxdZwvNNYs1NYPIUosFh-7dIBZZF5waAr97EALw_wcB?utm_source=nine.com.au&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_campaign=editorial-content" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the listing</a>, made through Circa Heritage and Lifestyle Property Specialists, the block serves as the perfect opportunity “to create an oasis” fit for nature lovers, environmentalists or “anyone in search of seclusion and privacy”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Along with its proximity to the ocean, the property includes a heart-shaped dam and creek that runs into the ocean.</p> <p dir="ltr">There are no other properties in sight either, so if its new owner builds their dream home they will just have the birds, fish, and kangaroos to keep them company.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It is said there is 'something special' about the water quality on this acreage with it's heart shaped dam and permanent creek running to the ocean where thousands of crayfish were released by the Tasmanian Government and where the locals say the crayfish from these waters gown three years faster than anywhere else in the Southern Hemisphere!” the listing says.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Add to this abalone fishing at your fingertips, an enormous array of fish and bird species passing through throughout the year from the Northern Hemisphere, a private sandy swimming and surfing beach, a well-protected bay for launching your own boat safely and easily and even a cray fishing licence available and you have what can only be described as a nature lover's paradise.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The property has potential for cattle, sheep and goats, while abalone and cray fishing are on its doorstep.</p> <p dir="ltr">While it is isolated and private, the property’s future owner can still socialise, with the island offering golf courses, cafes and restaurants at its heart and Melbourne at just a 45-minute flight away.</p> <p dir="ltr">“'253 Buttons Road' offers the opportunity to create a stunning and secluded family home, holiday retreat, boutique tourism venture or off-grid, eco-friendly haven in a pristine and unspoiled location,” the listing reads.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-44452fc6-7fff-76eb-236a-da39fb763056"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Circa Heritage and Lifestyle Property Specialists</em></p>

Real Estate

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About 200 dead whales have been towed out to sea off Tasmania – and what happens next is a true marvel of nature

<p>Australians watched in horror as 230 pilot whales became stranded at a beach near Macquarie Harbour on Tasmania’s west coast. Some whales were saved, but the vast majority died. This left a big problem: what to do with all the rotting whale carcasses?</p> <p>Authorities decided to tow the dead animals out to sea, hoping they’ll eventually sink to the seafloor.</p> <p>Such mass whale strandings are sad to witness. But in this case, the aftermath presents a fascinating opportunity for scientific discovery.</p> <p>As the dead whales decompose, an astonishing and rare chain of events is likely to flow through the marine ecosystem – ultimately leading to an explosion of activity and new life.</p> <h2>A 600-tonne problem</h2> <p>Mass whale strandings happen fairly regularly – especially in Tasmania – yet no one really knows why.</p> <p>Days before this latest incident, <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-09-20/sperm-whales-stranded-off-king-island-tasmania/101457406" target="_blank" rel="noopener">14 sperm whales</a> became stranded off King Island, northwest of Tasmania.</p> <p>And in 2020, about 470 pilot whales <a href="https://theconversation.com/like-trying-to-find-the-door-in-a-dark-room-while-hearing-your-relatives-scream-for-help-tasmanias-whale-stranding-tragedy-explained-146674" target="_blank" rel="noopener">became stranded</a> at Macquarie Harbour. While many were pulled out to sea, some of those carcasses washed up and were left to rot on the beach – an entirely natural process.</p> <p>However, pilot whales are big animals. Males weigh up to 2,300kg, which means they take a long time to decompose. The smell of two tonnes of rotting whale blubber soon becomes unbearable, so carcasses are frequently buried.</p> <p>This time around, authorities <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-09-25/whale-carcasses-towed-out-to-sea-after-mass-stranding/101471166" target="_blank" rel="noopener">decided to tow</a> the dead animals out to sea. The ABC reported local salmon farm workers took almost 11 hours to dispose of 204 dead whales with a combined weight of between 500 and 600 tonnes.</p> <p>They were tied to a 400 metre-long rope and towed by boats for 40 kilometres, before being dropped into deep water in the Indian Ocean.</p> <p>Some carcasses may wash back to shore, but most are likely to disperse with the tides and currents.</p> <h2>Shark bait? Probably not</h2> <p>The big question is: what happens to all that whale mass dumped at sea?</p> <p>Initially, a dead whale tends to float to the surface as it begins to decompose and its innards expand with gas. As this happens, ocean scavengers such as sharks and seabirds are likely to feast on the remains.</p> <p>Some people <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-14/do-buried-whale-carcasses-really-attract-sharks/10996512" target="_blank" rel="noopener">can be concerned</a> that whale carcasses attract sharks that might pose a risk to humans.</p> <p>Granted, encounters between sharks and humans, are <a href="https://theconversation.com/fatal-shark-attacks-are-at-a-record-high-deterrent-devices-can-help-but-some-may-be-nothing-but-snake-oil-150845" target="_blank" rel="noopener">on the rise</a> in Australia and elsewhere. But they’re still very rare.</p> <p>A <a href="https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0024/167613/swim-humpback-whales-risks-sharks.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">report</a> to the Western Australian government in 2012 found whale carcasses were a risk factors associated with shark attacks, and said caution should be exercised near a dead whale in the water.</p> <p>But the same report noted that of 26 shark attacks investigated, the highest number occurred more than a kilometre offshore. While there is no doubt <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2019.e00655" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sharks are attracted to dead whales</a>, the data is <a href="https://hakaimagazine.com/news/beached-whales-are-a-lure-for-hungry-sharks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">not clear</a> on whether a whale carcass leads directly to an increase in shark attacks on people.</p> <p>Research <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2351989419301854?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noopener">has shown</a> the likelihood of whale carcasses washing towards shore, where shark scavenging can be observed, is low. So as long as the carcass is taken far from shore and people keep their distance from it, the threat to humans from shark encounters appears to be exceedingly low.</p> <h2>From death comes new life</h2> <p>Inevitably, the whale carcass will start to sink. Most life in the ocean is found fairly close to the sea surface, so if the water is relatively shallow much of what’s left of the carcass will be quickly eaten by scavengers once it reaches the sea floor.</p> <p>But these carcasses have been disposed of in deep water. The deep ocean can be a barren place, where rich food sources are rare. So the appearance of a single whale carcass can supercharge an entire ecosystem.</p> <p>New life and activity can erupt around the dead animal in very little time. This process is known as “whale fall” and has been studied by scientists, sometimes using remotely operated vehicles. On the seafloor of the North Pacific, whale fall has been found to <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fevo.2022.885572/full" target="_blank" rel="noopener">support the survival</a> of at least 12,490 organisms of 43 species.</p> <p>Deep sea sharks will make the most of the carcass. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZzQhiNQXxU" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A host of other animals</a> including hagfish, octopus, crabs, lobsters, worms and sea cucumbers will join in too. All the while bacteria work away quietly in the background.</p> <p><a href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/what-happens-when-whales-die.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">According to</a> Britain’s Natural History Museum, a single whale can provide animals with food for up to two years during the scavenging stage.</p> <p>Other animals and bacteria survive off the chemicals produced from the rotting carcass.</p> <p>These organisms, known as “chemotrophs” were thought to be unique to underwater volcanic vents, where they use hydrogen sulphide as the principal energy source. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2016.2337" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Research</a> has shown a similar suite of animals recruit around dead and decaying whales – generating a completely independent ecosystem based on a gas that <a href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/what-happens-when-whales-die.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">smells like rotten eggs</a>.</p> <p>Only a few organisms can break down the bones that remain, in a process that might take up to ten years.</p> <p>So take a moment to consider the effect of 204 whale falls in a small part of the ocean off Tasmania. Right now, they are probably generating interconnected marine metropolises, the likes of which are rarely seen.</p> <p><strong>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/about-200-dead-whales-have-been-towed-out-to-sea-off-tasmania-and-what-happens-next-is-a-true-marvel-of-nature-191340" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.</strong></p> <p><em>Image: Twitter</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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See inside the new experience exclusively for women

<p dir="ltr">Step into a lavish world of hobnobbing, wine and lavish food with your very own butler at the latest, most exclusive event from Tasmania’s Museum of Old and New Art (MONA).</p> <p dir="ltr">The <a href="https://mona.net.au/stuff-to-do/experiences/ladies-lounge" target="_blank" rel="noopener">High Tea for Two</a>, held in the museum’s opulent Ladies Lounge, was created by artist and curator Kirsha Kaechele and is an experience only available for women.</p> <p dir="ltr">Kaechele was inspired by the ladies-only parties thrown by her great-grandmother “Tootsie”, a scandalous socialite, which involved a fleet of dancing butlers, 400-year-old wines, and occasional visits from Spanish painter Pablo Picasso.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-ca9dc0e3-7fff-0da4-fed8-74061b30baa3"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">With a dress code of green, gold, black and white finery, you can expect to be greeted by your butler with elbow-length velvet gloves and extravagant jewellery for you to wear, followed by a 12-course high tea in the chandelier-lit lounge where works from Picasso are among those donning the walls.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/06/mona-tea1.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>The High Tea for Two is inspired by the women-only parties held by its creator’s great-grandmother. Images: MONA</em></p> <p dir="ltr">Though the lounge is open to any women visiting the museum, high tea sessions are restricted to just two ladies, your butler Hepburn, his sidekick “Robinson”, and a blindfolded saxophonist - making you part of the artwork that others can observe.</p> <p dir="ltr">The two-hour experience runs twice daily (11am and 2.30pm) on Saturdays and Sundays, with the total $500 package including nibbles, matched drinks, butler service and museum entry.</p> <p dir="ltr">To book your experience, head <a href="https://culturalattractionsofaustralia.com/experiences/high-tea-for-two/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-26d1fd6d-7fff-2a06-fd6c-6dd19be4bd31"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: MONA</em></p>

Domestic Travel

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Dangerous traffic crash rocks Scott Morrison

<p dir="ltr">Scott Morrison’s dedicated security team have been involved in a serious car crash. </p> <p dir="ltr">The Prime Minister who is currently campaigning in Tasmania, was not in the vehicle which collided with another car near Elizabeth Town on Thursday afternoon. </p> <p dir="ltr">Luckily, no one was killed.</p> <p dir="ltr">The security team were in transit when they were hit by the other car, which saw their vehicle roll onto an embankment and flip onto its side.</p> <p dir="ltr">The four men - two from Tasmania Police and two from the Australian Federal Police - were all transferred to hospital. </p> <p dir="ltr">The driver of the other vehicle was not injured in the crash. </p> <p dir="ltr">A spokesperson from Mr Morrison’s office confirmed the men were conscious with the prime minister being updated of their condition. </p> <p dir="ltr">"Family members of the officers have been contacted and are being kept informed of their condition," they said.</p> <p dir="ltr">"The PM is always extremely grateful for the protection provided by his security team and extends his best wishes for their recovery and to their families.</p> <p dir="ltr">"This afternoon's event has been cancelled."</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Morrison was at Brunie for a defence industries event when the collision occurred. </p> <p dir="ltr">The event was immediately cancelled with Mr Morrison and his press team taken back to the airport. </p> <p dir="ltr">On Thursday afternoon, the prime minister released a statement sending well wishes to the officers.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Earlier this afternoon two of my protective detail, along with two Tasmanian police officers were involved in a terrible car accident, while they were supporting my visit to Northern Tasmania," he wrote. </p> <p dir="ltr">"I am relieved they have all been safely transferred to hospital where they are receiving care.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Our police do an amazing job in keeping us all safe. I am incredibly grateful to all the police who look after me and my family. </p> <p dir="ltr">"We have all got to know each other over the year. They are selfless, professional and incredibly generous. I hope to hear further good news about their condition.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Jen and I also send our thanks, love and best wishes to them and their families."</p> <p dir="ltr">Opposition leader Anthony Alabanese also thanked the officers for their incredible work.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Best wishes to the @AusFedPolice and @TasmaniaPolice personnel assisting the PM who were involved in the car crash in Tasmania today. They do a fantastic job and I wish all a speedy recovery," he tweeted.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Twitter</em></p>

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Century-old theatre for sale

<p>A charming 20th-century former theatre in the bucolic town of Scottsdale in Tasmania has been listed for sale with an asking price on the lower side, at $495,000.</p> <p>The enchanting vintage style building is constructed from solid concrete and was built in 1924. According to reports, it was claimed to be the nicest theatre of any country town in Australia at the time.</p> <p>It's been many, many moons since that proclamation was made, though, and the theatre has since fallen into a semi-derelict state.</p> <p>Aside from a small office jutting out of its left side, the grand structure has sat dormant for years, changing ownership several times over the past three decades. As a result of this, the historic dwelling is now what is referred to as a fixer-upper.</p> <p>The most notable room for improvement is the main hall, which is definitely in need of some attention. For example, the floor has sunken quite badly and needs some serious work to rectify the safety issue.</p> <p>How did the floors get so bad? Well, according to Scottsdale's North Eastern Advertiser, a previous owner used the beautiful building as a bottle shop and would drive a forklift back and forth across the century-old deck. Not only does it have forklift damage, but someone has purposefully lit a fire inside at one point which added further damages.</p> <p>However, it's not all bad news. The ceiling still retains much of its art deco styling, and that small office is currently tenanted.</p> <p>The theatre has also had its roof refurbished recently, and with quite a lot of love, we can imagine the Lyric becoming a popular tourist attraction, or maybe even a quaint, boutique hotel.</p> <p>Regardless of its many faults, anything of this size and potential in the current property market seems like a certifiable bargain. Good luck to the new owners!</p> <p><em>Images: Domain.com.au</em></p>

Real Estate

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Historic mansion's once-in-a-lifetime sale

<p>One of Australia's oldest and most historically important mansions has been listed for sale. The Tasmanian home has an asking price of $3.5 million-plus.</p> <p>Woodbridge, as it's called, was built in 1825 by convicts and is located roughly 30 minutes away from Hobart in the town of New Norfolk.</p> <p>Backing onto the river Derwent, the stunning heritage-listed Georgian Mansion boats real old-world grandeur and, for anyone interested, this stately homestead could also serve as a lucrative investment property.</p> <p>In 2005, the beautiful abode was completely refurbished and now operates as a stylish, boutique five-star hotel. </p> <p>Boasting nine en-suite rooms, a dining room, a salon, ballroom, reading room and two commercial kitchens, the Woodbridge is well and truly brimming with potential.</p> <p>There's also a manager's living quarters on-site, plus a host of other features such as a riverfront pavilion, sauna and a jacuzzi.</p> <p>Woodbridge is also spread over 3793-square-metres of pristine, manicured grounds.</p> <p>Located in the heart of one of Tasmania's busiest tourist areas, there are plenty of nearby attractions too, including the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, Salmon Ponds and the Agrarian Kitchen.</p> <p>The sale of Woodbridge is being handled by John Blacklow of Knight Frank Tasmania, and anyone interested in this property and the limitless possibilities should register interest before Thursday, April 28.</p> <p><em>Images: Domain.com.au</em></p>

Real Estate

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Fears grow for missing little girl

<p dir="ltr">The search for a missing four-year-old girl who vanished from her mother’s backyard in Tasmania has continued, with police becoming increasingly concerned about her welfare.</p> <p dir="ltr">Shayla Phillips was playing with a neighbour’s two dogs in her mum’s backyard in Stormlea, southeast of Hobart, on Wednesday afternoon at about 2.30pm.</p> <p dir="ltr">But, when Shayla’s mother, Bianca, went to check on her daughter after 30 minutes, she found that Shayla and one of the dogs had disappeared, as reported by the <em><a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10646747/Shayla-Phillips-Growing-fears-missing-girl-4-desperate-search-enters-second-night.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Daily Mail</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">After frantically searching the property herself, Bianca called Tasmania Police at 3pm.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-12acc193-7fff-8638-6b11-330bf7e360b5"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">The missing dog was found  later that same night about 800 metres from where Shayla was last seen, but no trace of the “happy healthy child” has been found in over 24 hours despite extensive search efforts from Tasmania Police.</p> <p><iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=469&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FTas.Police%2Fvideos%2F741911827217753%2F&show_text=true&width=560&t=0" width="560" height="584" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p dir="ltr">“As we enter day two of the search for Shayla, increasing concerns are held for her welfare,” Inspector Gavin Hallett said in a <a href="https://www.police.tas.gov.au/news-events/media-releases/significant-search-ongoing-in-stormlea-area-for-missing-4-year-old-girl-shayla-phillips/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a> released on Thursday afternoon.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Due to the isolation and terrain in the Stormlea Road area where Shayla was last seen, a broad range of resources are continuing to be utilised to search from the air and on the ground,” Inspector Hallett said.</p> <p dir="ltr">With locals reporting temperatures of 10 C on Wednesday night, concerns for Shayla’s safety have been growing due to her young age and the dense terrain.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-1024d2eb-7fff-aafc-7169-8686ac701b81"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Police are searching for Shayla using divers, sniffer dogs, drones with thermal sensors, and investigators, and are being assisted by Tasmania SES, Ambulance Tasmania, a Westpac Rescue Helicopter and even people on horseback, according to the <em><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-25/missing-girl-spends-second-night-lost-in-southern-tasmania/100937436" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ABC</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/03/shayla.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Police divers searched ponds and dams on the property on the first day of the search. Image: Tasmania Police</em></p> <p dir="ltr">“In all we’ve had close to 100 emergency service personnel assisting us in the search,” Inspector Hallett said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Because of the isolation, terrain and age of Shayla the rescue helicopter was deployed immediately.”</p> <p dir="ltr">With this many resources being deployed and the isolation of the area, police have requested no additional help from the public in their search.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, a new image of Shayla wearing a two-piece pink tracksuit has been circulating on social media with the hopes it could help her be recognised.</p> <p dir="ltr">She was last seen wearing pink leggings, a cream top and gumboots.</p> <p dir="ltr">Since the dogs were found “quite a distance away” from the backyard, Inspector Hallett said it was an indicator that Shayla’s disappearance wasn’t due to any “untoward activity”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“That’s an indicator to us, that if there had been some untoward activity the dogs wouldn’t have been gone, they would have been here,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Authorities don’t believe any other parties were involved in Shayla’s disappearance at this stage.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’ve spoken to the mother Bianca and she’s very stoic,” Inspector Hallett said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“She’s a strong woman and hopeful we will find Shayla.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-35253854-7fff-ccb6-86fe-153abfb21e08"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Tasmania Police</em></p>

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Aussie Town of the Year crowned for 2022

<p dir="ltr">With Australia being such a huge country, knowing where the best places are can make it easier to plan an unforgettable trip.</p> <p dir="ltr">To help prospective travellers, <a href="https://www.wotif.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wotif</a> has announced the country’s top places to visit - and Launceston in Tasmania has taken the top prize as the 2022 Aussie Town of the Year.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-db417037-7fff-3ce2-9265-a8d09c291dfc"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“Launceston’s fresh produce, renowned sparkling wine and commitment to great food is world-famous,” said Daniel Finch, the managing director of Wotif.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/02/launceston1.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Launceston has been crowned the best Aussie town for 2022. Image: Supplied</em></p> <p dir="ltr">“With some of Tasmania’s most spectacular natural landmarks just a short drive away, including the Tamar Valley, Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair National Park and the Bay of Fire, it’s no surprise that demand for the city has grown by over 125 percent on Wotif.com.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Although international borders have begun to reopen, Wotif found that a third of Aussies plan to stay within Australia, while 24 percent plan to visit somewhere new.</p> <p dir="ltr">Though Tasmania took the top spot, the top ten featured entries from each of the six states.</p> <p dir="ltr">Victoria’s Yarra Valley, Bright and Halls Gap made the list, making it the state with the most prized destinations.</p> <p dir="ltr">Caloundra and Hervey Bay made the list on behalf of Queensland, while Tamworth and Batemans Bay represented New South Wales.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Wotif’s 2022 Aussie Town of the Year Award winners</strong></p> <ol> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Launceston, TAS</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Caloundra, QLD</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Tamworth, NSW</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Yarra Valley, VIC</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Adelaide Hills, SA</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Bright, VIC</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Hervey Bay, QLD</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Halls Gap, VIC</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Batemans Bay, NSW</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Busselton, WA</p> </li> </ol> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-f41d2804-7fff-59ea-759b-7138a2a90a6b"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Supplied</em></p>

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