Devonport Times - June - First Section - Devonport City Council

Forced to shut up shop
Tenants given
one month to
move on
FAMILIAR Rooke St
businesses will be forced to
shut up shop and move on due
to the arcade’s redevelopment.
Current tenants, Stitch in
Time, Luzette Florists and
Walker Shoe Repairs, were
given one month’s notice to
relocate their businesses, despite
occupying the arcade for
more than 75 years between
them.
Coastal developer John
Briggs took over ownership of
the arcade on May 1 and
recently started
refurbishments which meant
businesses occupying the
front of the premises would
need to vacate by June 4.
■ To Page 3
Yvonne Eastley has decided to close her business, Stitch in Time, after being given one month’s notice to vacate the Rooke Street arcade.
Report on Page 3. Picture: Katie McDougall.

This month inside
your Devonport Times
Winter no excuse
Taylor
off to
titles in
Beijing
Devonport’s Taylor Wilczynski is
following his dream. He’s off to
Beijing for the World Junior Rowing
Championships in August.
Page 5
Val loves Vinnies
Val Neylor has been volunteering at
the Devonport Vinnies charity shop
for 30 years and she ‘‘loves every
minute of it’’.
Page 15
INDEX
Gran’s Van support
One year on and Gran’s Van is still
offering support to needy people.
Founder Mary Binks tells of the
volunteers who make it possible.
Page 7
People
out
and
about
Check out two pages of social
photos showcasing several events
held throughout Devonport, Latrobe
and Sheffield.
Pages 38-39
to be cold-hearted
THIS year seems to be flying by
without any consideration for those
who aren’t quite ready to embrace
the winter weather.
There are many people who look
forward to winter, for reasons
beyond the excuse to exercise less
and eat more.
But as a summer lover there’s
nothing remotely appealing about
the days getting colder, darker and
more dreary.
What’s more, it’s time for the annual
goodbyes to cute, unpractical shoes
and hello to comfortable boots and
those well-hidden explorer socks —
to fight the chilblains of course.
According to one statistic boffin, the
average Australian woman has 19
pairs of shoes. Now that’s a lot of
retail therapy ladies.
While clearing space in the
wardrobe for the winter woollies to
move in, there was a point where I
slipped above the average Australian
woman in the shoe ownership
department.
And it was there the shame of my
shoe extravagance became evident.
Despite denial for many years, this
shoe fetish of mine is not
uncommon, and just to throw in
another statistic, women are known
to buy 200 pairs of shoes in their
lifetime. So estimating each pair is
about $100, we’ve blown $20,000
on shoes — that’s a deposit on a
house!
This figure stood out like a sore
thumb (thanks Pop), as I read a
column by Gran’s Van founder Mary
Binks (page 7).
For those who don’t know about
Gran’s Van, it’s a project that helps
feed the city’s homeless and needy
people — it has done for a year.
Last year the State Government
gave Gran’s Van $20,000 to help set
up the service.
Since its inception, the 290
volunteers have served more than
1300 meals to people who don’t
have the luxury of worrying which
shoes will match their outfit, but
whether or not they will eat that day.
When you take time to think about
the contrasting situations it can
really put one’s life into
perspective.
While my shoe fetish only started a
few years ago, there are many
other charities that have been
getting just as much attention from
my purse.
Too often I’ve heard people make
the comment that supporting
charities is a waste of time as the
funds never go to the people who
need it.
Sadly if everyone thought this way,
where would the charities be
Perhaps if these people were to
think about the saying ‘‘to walk a
mile in someone else’s shoes’’
their mindsets would change.
Like a wise woman once said to
me as I donated ‘‘unwanted’’ shoes
to charity ‘‘tis far better to give than
to receive’’.
Yes it is, those shoes won’t be
missed . . . much!
■ If you have anything you’d like
to comment on in this month’s
Devonport Times feel free to
email me at
tahniac@ruralpress.com or call
me on 6440 7475.
Music camp. . . . . . . . . 11
Community house pictorial . . . 12
Calendar of events. . . . . . 13
Marjorie’s tips . . . . . . . 14
What is an OAM . . . . . . 15
Brass band’s boost . . . . . 16
Marie McCulloch . . . . . . . 19
New art gallery face . . . . . 22
Peter Lyons . . . . . . . . . 27
CONTACTS
Tahnia Creedon
communities
editor
6440 7475
6440 7461 fax
Email Tahnia at tahniac@ruralpress.com
Sarah Nicol
communities
reporter
6498 7864
6498 7852 fax
Sarah Leary . . . . . . . . . 29
Club directory. . . . . . . . 30
Education . . . . . . . . . 33
Jim Ritchie . . . . . . . . . 35
Gordon Saunders . . . . . . . 36
Poet’s corner . . . . . . . . 38
Harry’s fishing . . . . . . . 44
Rowing history . . . . . . . 46
Tracy Papiccio
communties
reporter
6440 7478
64407461 fax
Email Tracy at tracyp@ruralpress.com
Emma Hope
communities
reporter
6440 7394
64407461 fax
Where is it
competition
ATTENTION THE Where Is It competition
prize has increased to $50.
Put your local knowledge to the test
to win a $50 gift voucher to spend at
any business advertised in this edition
of the Devonport Times.
If you think you know what and where
this landmark is, send your answer
to:
Where Is It Competition
Devonport Times
PO Box 259
Devonport, TAS, 7310
Don’t forget to include your name,
address and daytime phone number,
along with your answer, on the back
of the envelope.
■ Cyril Febey, of Devonport, won last
month’s competition, which was the
Axeman’s Hall of Fame sign at Bells
Parade.
QUESTION: Do you know where this is If so, send in your entry to
win a $50 voucher.
Email Sarah at sarahn@ruralpress.com
Email Emma at emmah@ruralpress.com
Nicole Davern
sales manager
Lisa Sculthorpe
sales executive
6498 7814
6498 7880 fax
0408 124 984
0409 529 628
Email Nicole at nicoled@ruralpress.com
Email Lisa at lisas@ruralpress.com
The Devonport Times is published by Rural Press Pty Ltd, 56 Mount St, Burnie.
ANSWER: Last month’s answer was the Axeman’s Hall of Fame sign at Bells Parade.
Page 2 Devonport Times June 2007

Developer had
no choice but
Time to call
it a day after
25 years
to evict tenants
■ From Page 1
‘‘We really didn’t have any
choice,’’ Mr Briggs said.
‘‘It was impossible to do it
(renovations) with the tenants
in.’’
Mr Briggs said he had done
his best to help the tenants by
providing free rent for the final
month and assisting them in
moving.
‘‘We tried to help as much as
we can,’’ he said.
However, Julie and Gary
Powell, from Luzette Florists,
said the free rent was not
enough.
‘‘It is a small compensation
for getting thrown out on the
street with one month’s notice
and our relocation costs and
putting up with dust and noise
while they’re building around
us,’’ Mr Powell said.
Mrs Powell’s mother owned
the store before her and
together they have been in that
spot for 36 years.
Mrs Powell said while they
had found a new place in
Churchers Arcade, moving
would still affect their
business.
‘‘Its long-standing location is
part of its identity, our
customers know where we
are,’’ she said.
‘‘When you’re only given a
month to relocate, you can’t
help but feel bitter about it.’’
Craig Walker, of Walker Shoe
Repairs, has been in the arcade
for 15 years, but was lucky
enough to find a new location,
that he said was even better.
‘‘It’s given me the opportunity
to move on,’’ he said.
Mr Walker’s new shop will be
in the Rooke Street Mall beside
Kodak, but he said he was still
‘‘When you’re only
given a month to
relocate, you can’t
help but feel bitter
about it.’’
disappointed he was given only
one month’s notice to move.
‘‘It just doesn’t give you time
to tell your customers where
you are,’’ he said.
Mr Walker had customers
coming in suggesting new
locations for him.
Yvonne Eastley, of Stitch in
Time, is taking this as a sign
she should retire at age 75.
‘‘I guess it’s time,’’ she said.
Mr Briggs said the
renovations should be
completed in about three
months but that they had not
chosen new tenants yet.
He said he wanted to make
sure he got a good variety of
businesses.
‘‘Getting the mix right is the
most important part of a
successful retail complex,’’ he
said.
‘‘We want it to be really
special, so we’re going to take
our time with it and get it
really right.’’
Other businesses affected, Big
Hart and Second Time Around,
located on the second storey,
will remain and the businesses
at the back of the arcade,
Mission Australia, Ability
Employment and NW
Contactors, will stay for the
time being.
Julie and Gary Powell, of Luzette Florists, will reluctantly relocate to
Churchers Arcade.
Craig Walker, of Walker Shoe Repairs, will move his shop into the
Rooke Street Mall.
By SARAH NICOL
AFTER 25 years owning and
working in Stitch in Time,
Yvonne Eastley is calling it a
day.
Her store is the only wool
shop in the Devonport CBD,
with the nearest on Don Road.
‘‘It’s going to be quite a blow
to a lot of people,’’ she said.
Part of the service Mrs
Eastley provided was to sew up
hand-knitted garments, which
she will still do for some of her
customers.
Mrs Eastley said she had a
number of loyal customers,
some who she hadn’t had the
chance to tell about the shop
closing yet.
Her store is in the arcade at 3
Rooke Street and she had been
asked to leave so developers
could complete renovations.
‘‘It took a while to sink in,’’
she said.
Mrs Eastley said the position
of her shop was ideal and it
would be hard to find anywhere
else as good.
‘‘You need passing traffic,’’
she said.
At 75 years of age, she did not
want to have to set up shop
again and is taking this as a
sign she should retire.
‘‘I know I had to retire but I
wanted to do it in my own time,
I didn’t want to be forced out,’’
she said.
One of the hardest things for
Mrs Eastley was the one
month’s notice as she could not
return stock to suppliers.
She has had one month to sell
everything in the store and was
having a closing down sale.
‘‘I will lose money but it is
beside the point,’’ she said.
‘‘If it had been three months
we would have all had time to
think.’’
Mrs Eastley said there was
little point making petitions or
arguing about the owner’s decision,
it was better just to
move on.
‘‘We have to get out, that’s all
there is to it,’’ she said.
Devonport Times June 2007 Page 3

Navigating his way to
fulfilling an ambition
JOSHUA Fitzmaurice has
been in the air force for five
years, has a degree and is
currently studying his third
course towards becoming an
aviation navigator— and he’s
just 22-years-old.
His ambition is to be a
navigator on the AP-3C Orion,
the Royal Australian Air Force
long-range maritime patrol
aircraft.
Joshua’s grandfather was also
in the air force. He sparked
Joshua’s interest in aircraft
and inspired him to become
involved.
‘‘Some of the old stories he
used to tell about his time in
the air force were very
interesting,’’ Joshua said.
Having lived in Devonport all
his life, attending Devonport
‘‘I’ve always loved
aviation and it gives
me the chance to be
involved with aircraft.’’
High School then The Don
College, Joshua said it was
difficult to move away to
Canberra to do a science degree
through the air force.
On top of his study Joshua
had to fit in basic military
training.
Once he graduated he moved
to Melbourne where he
completed a course in aviation
navigation. Joshua is currently
living in Adelaide and studying
a computing course to become
a fully-qualified navigator.
He said he has known that it
was something he wanted to do
since he was very young.
‘‘I’ve always loved aviation
and it gives me the chance to be
involved with aircraft,’’ he
said.
‘‘And I also get to see the
world.’’
Joshua said his grandfather
was very proud that he was
following in his footsteps and
was fascinated with how his
career was progressing.
‘‘He loves hearing stories
about the air force and how it’s
changed since he was
involved.’’
— SARAH NICOL
Green Corp surmount obstacles
Former Devonport resident Joshua Fitzmaurice, 22, is following his
dream to be a navigator on the AP-3C Orion, the Royal Australian Air
Force long-range maritime patrol aircraft.
The North Wilmot River Green Corps team have built a
permanent bridge in the Winter Brook Forest Reserve.
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SOME people take the
expression ‘‘build a bridge’’
a little too seriously.
The North Wilmot River
Green Corps team built a
permanent bridge in the
Winter Brook Forest
Reserve as part of their six
month employment.
To do this they had to
carry all their equipment
1.3km into the forest. This
included a cement mixer,
generator, gravel, bags of
cement and 7.5 metre long
steel beams, team leader
Geoff Wilkins said.
‘‘After this particular
project all of us are a lot
fitter,’’ he said.
‘‘It was the most awkward
job they had to do in the
whole project.’’
Geoff said there had been
a bridge made out of an old
log over the river but as the
river was prone to flash
flooding, it had moved and
become unsafe. He said
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is the project partner for
the group, had wanted to
replace the bridge for some
time.
‘‘It was just a matter of
getting the right time of
year and the man power,’’
he said.
Geoff said he knew it
would be hard work, which
is why it was saved for the
end of their project.
But it was worth all the
hard work and they were
all given a good lesson in
engineering, Geoff said.
‘‘When the timbers were
placed on the bridge, they
all thought it was
fantastic,’’ he said.
There will be a plaque
placed on the bridge with
all the team member’s
names to commemorate
their hard work.
This Green Corps group
graduated in April and
most have since found
employment.
— SARAH NICOL
Page 4 Devonport Times June 2007
4067300 LD
Getting their hands dirty for Arbor Week are
Reece High students Josh Barrett (left) and
Ethan Barron, and Phil Murray from the council.
Reece High students help
celebrate Arbour Week
ARBOR Week was celebrated across Devonport
with tree plantings and a range of events
to emphasis and appreciate the value of trees.
Grade 8 students from Reece High School
combined with members of the Devonport City
Council’s Parks and Reserves Department to
revegetate a recently renovated section of the
school’s grounds.
Students learnt the basics of tree-planting
and found the experience far more enjoyable
than they had at first anticipated.
Arbor Week coordinator Phil Murray said
the program had been very successful, involving
schools and organisations around the
municipality.
He said Arbor Week had been so successful
in the past it had been extended to a fortnight.
Grade 8 teacher Kelly Lehman said that
revegetating the school is only one of many
environmental changes occurring at Reece
High. The school community has taken up the
challenge of designing and implementing more
sustainable environmental practices.
Since February, paper consumption at the
school has been halved, while energy efficiency
is being monitored closely by a group
of senior students.
‘‘Students have been responding very positively
to the changes at Reece,’’ Ms Lehman
said.
‘‘It’s great to see young people acting upon
their concerns and becoming involved in the
process of change.’’

Green and gold an inspiration
GETTING up at 4.30am and
training on the icy water is
made easier when you’re
focussed on the dream of
‘‘putting on that green and gold
suit’’, says Devonport rower
Taylor Wilczynski.
And that dream is about to
come true for the 16-year-old.
Taylor will row for Australia
in Beijing at the World Junior
Championships in the single
scull come August.
It has been a long, hard road
for Taylor, who has had to
overcome several obstacles.
As a child Taylor was slightly
over weight, and he is now a
year younger and at least three
inches shorter than most of the
rowers he will compete against.
‘‘There’s a fairly big mental
side to it, which can make or
break you,’’ he said.
‘‘It’s that side of things that
gives me the edge.’’
Taylor said when racing,
rowers often experienced
fatigue and aching muscles.
‘‘There’s a wall you’ve got to
push through about half way
through a race — some rowers
can do it and other rowers
can’t,’’ he said.
‘‘For me it’s a matter of
gritting your teeth and getting
over the pain and wanting it
more.’’
Devonport’s Taylor Wilczynski is off to Beijing for the World Junior Rowing Championships in August.
Fellow Devonport rower
David Wright was the only
other Tasmanian to be selected
in the Australian team. He will
compete in the quad.
Taylor said it helped being
able to train with rowers of a
similar ability, such as David.
‘‘He’s always next to me, if
not in front of me,’’ he said.
‘‘It’s great having the top few
junior rowers at the same club.
‘‘We all push each other and
make each other work harder
in training.’’
Taylor said the success of the
rowers was largely down to the
coaching of Rob Williams.
‘‘Our coach is great.
‘‘He makes the work seem
easy to do,’’ he said.
Taylor said the location of the
Mersey Rowing Club was also
an advantage.
‘‘The good thing about
Devonport is that it’s close to
Lake Barrington, which is a
world standard course,’’ he
said.
‘‘It’s a great facility to have
close to home.’’
He said fitting in up to 13
training sessions a week on top
of school work was difficult.
‘‘Time management is a big
part of being an athlete at this
level,’’ he said.
‘‘Sometimes it’s extremely
hard to do all the school work I
need to.’’
Though his father was a
rower in his youth, Taylor said
he never imagined following
the same path.
‘‘Once dad pulled out this
poster from his day of a rower
in this massive tub with huge
oars — nowadays the boat
would weigh the same as one of
those oars,’’ he said.
Taylor’s next goal is to put the
green and gold suit on again for
the Olympic Games in 2012.
Community bodies praised in decision to not relocate Housing staff
WITH Housing Tasmania
backing down on previous
claims it was moving a large
percentage of staff from its
Devonport office to Burnie, the
DCCI’s Jon Hatto is
congratulating the efforts of
community bodies.
Mr Hatto said he called
Health Minister Lara Giddings’
office recently and was told the
State Government had only
intended to move two or three
‘‘back room’’ staff to Burnie.
‘‘It’s because of the efforts of
the DCCI, The Advocate, the
State Opposition and the
Devonport Council,’’ Mr Hatto
said.
‘‘It’s because they came
together over this issue.’’
The controversial issue first
came to light after the State
Government announced it
would send nearly all of the
Devonport staff to Burnie.
About 15 staff were first
thought to be facing the move
but after much media and
union attention, the numbers
have decreased.
‘‘They were certainly
dismayed at Lara Gidding’s
office because they said they
were only intending to move
back-office staff,’’ he said.
‘‘The impression I got from
them was that (they believed)
there was misinformation
being presented.’’
Waiting lists on the Central
Coast and in Devonport are
almost triple those in Burnie.
Employees who will be moved
will face relocation or a daily
commute of 100km a day.
— TRACY PAPICCIO
Latrobe Council GM
saying goodbye to
local government
GRANT Atkins is taking a step back
from his busy life as Latrobe Council
general manager.
Grant’s career as general manager
began in 1996 when he took the role
in both Kentish and Latrobe councils.
‘‘It was pretty hectic,’’ he said.
In 1999 he began work full-time at
Latrobe but has chosen to retire at the
end of June this year.
‘‘It has been difficult; some days I
think why have I done that, others I
think it will be nice not to have to go
to work everyday,’’ he said.
Grant said it
was important
to leave on his
own terms.
‘‘I just need to
move on in my
life while I’m still
feeling good
about things,’’
he said.
Grant said he
was planning to Grant Atkins
take retirement
for six months and would then consider
what he to do next, if anything.
‘‘I’ve always been fairly active so I
need to find out if I can handle the
time,’’ he said.
Grant said he was looking forward to
spending time with his family, doing
some community work, renovating the
kitchen and other recreational activities
such as cycling and fishing.
He also has four grandchildren who
will occupy some of his time, he said.
Grant said his job could sometimes be
stressful, trying to meet the community’s
needs, but he did it to help others
out.
‘‘I don’t think we look for recognition,
I just look for satisfaction in that I’ve
been able to help the community,’’ he
said.
‘‘I think local government is so
important because it is the one place
normal people can still have a say and
make an impact,’’ he said.
Grant said one of the best things he
has been involved with in his career
was to help turn around Latrobe
Council’s financial difficulties. He was
also proud of his role in many
developments in the area.
‘‘It’s been great to be part of the
development of Latrobe over the past
10 years, Latrobe and Port Sorell are
exciting places,’’ he said.
‘‘I think Latrobe will continue to
consolidate as a wonderful place to
live.’’
— SARAH NICOL
59 Best Street, Devonport www.collinsrealty.com.au
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Devonport Times June 2007 Page 5
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DEVONPORT
Cnr Best St & Fenton Way. 6424 5155
www.harveynorman.com.au
Page 6 Devonport Times June 2007
87960

One year on for Gran’s Van
ON JUNE 5, 2006, a project
began in Devonport to give
a sustaining meal each
Monday, Wednesday and
Friday evening to the city’s
homeless and needy people.
Gran’s Van is a mobile
soup kitchen which operates
from 7pm to 7.30pm in
West Devonport and from
8pm to 8.30pm in East
Devonport.
Devonport High School
students make hot, thick
soup and volunteers prepare
sandwiches and rolls.
Often biscuits, cakes and
other food and soft drinks
are donated by Devonport
residents and businesses.
The van itself was donated
by Jeff and Alina
Gambin of the Just Enough
Faith philanthropic organisation
from Sydney, who
learned of the project
through Yolanda Da Rue, a
young teacher and author
of Devonport.
There are 290 volunteers,
who prepare food, drive
and serve on the van.
The Devonport and Reece
high and Devonport Central
and East Devonport
primary schools have supported
Gran’s Van by growing
pumpkins, collecting
socks and warm clothing,
packing small bags of chocolate
and in many other
diverse ways.
The North-West community
has been extraordinarily
generous with donations
of food, warm
clothing, and money.
Since it began one year
ago, more than 1300 meals
have been served.
The clients are polite,
courteous and very appreciative.
Volunteers are trained to
offer friendship with no
preaching or personal questions
and find the experience
very rewarding.
The service is managed
by the Gran’s Van Association.
The Tasmanian Government
gave an initial grant
of $20,000 to help set up the
service.
— By founder Mary Binks
Gran’s Van founder Mary Binks says the service has provided
more than 1300 meals in its first year.
Tara-Lee takes to the road to gain some independence
Helping our injured wildlife
THE North-West Coast is blessed with many native
animals, unfortunately they often try to cross busy roads.
According to statistics released by AAMI and Sweeney
Research, drivers in Tasmania are more likely to hit an
animal than in any other state.
About 74 per cent of drivers surveyed said they had hit
a domestic or native animal, with almost 40 per cent
saying they did not stop to see if the animal survived.
The statistics showed that kangaroos and wallabies were
the most commonly hit animals.
Julie-Ann Archer of Wildlife Management Branch said
there was no specific organisation that deals with injured
wildlife on the roads.
There is a database of volunteer services who will assist
if needed but Julie-Ann stressed, they were volunteers.
The Wildlife Management Branch’s staff will retrieve
phone messages and monitor the phones after hours and
on weekends on a voluntary basis.
But it was important to know what to do if you did hit
an animal, Julie-Ann said.
If an animal is injured, the best thing to do is put it in
a box and keep it away from loud noises such as
domestic pets and televisions.
The next step is to take it to the vet or call the Wildlife
Management Branch to get a volunteer out to help.
Julie-Ann said it was important to realise an animal may
be distressed and react badly to being handled.
■ The Wildlife Management Branch can be contacted
on 6233 6556.
— SARAH NICOL
DEVONPORT teenager Tara-Lee
Roberts, 16, recently obtained
her learner drivers licence.
The Devonport Times will follow
her progress as she learns to
drive in preparation for her
provisional licence test.
So far, I love driving and
want to drive as often as
possible. I have taken four
lessons with the RACT and
am lucky enough to have
my mum, step-dad and stepmum
take me on lessons.
My first lesson at the
RACT was in a car park
practicing stopping and
starting — it was the first
time I’d ever really driven.
But I still had to try a
reverse park, which I
hated. I don’t like reversing
in general, I am so scared of
hitting new cars.
I have been trying to get
out on the road every night
or two. I usually drive from
Devonport to Latrobe then
to Penguin and back.
Mum panics a bit but is
learning to let me take
control of the car.
I haven’t been in the
traffic much and usually
stick to the country roads.
Traffic lights and
roundabouts prove to be a
Devonport teenager Tara-Lee Roberts recently obtained her learners drivers licence. She
shares her journey on the big road to passing her provisional licence test.
tad stressful. At
roundabouts I wait for all
the other cars to pass first,
even then I don’t like
turning right, just straight
ahead or left.
I’ve been trying to get out
in lots of conditions. I’ve
driven at night and that
was OK; I’ve been on dirt
roads and in a bit of fog.
But I have not driven in the
rain yet because mum is
scared I will lose control.
Most of my friends are
also learning to drive. Life
is so much easier if you can
drive yourself around.
But being a learner is
pretty hard. The other
drivers seem to be fairly
ignorant of learners.
Cars pull out in front of
me because I’m not going
as fast as them and they
beep their horns.
On the highway it is OK
because the cars just
overtake me. It is hard to
stick to 80km/h though
when everyone else is
going so much faster.
I have my own car but
have been having lessons
in my mum’s car, which is
fairly easy to drive.
Devonport Times June 2007 Page 7

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Page 8 Devonport Times June 2007

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Devonport Times June 2007 Page 9

Trendy online courses
THE Sheffield Online Access Centre has started teaching
trendy technological courses.
Centre coordinator Tim Wilson said he had taken courses
in online trading, iPods use and Google Earth.
‘‘We have been trying to accommodate new
technology,’’ he said.
Tim said many people were given gifts, often by their
children, and did not know how to use them.
‘‘The parents are scratching their heads wondering what
to do with them,’’ he said.
He said the majority of people that enrolled in his courses
were over 50 and predominantly female.
At the announcement of Sheffield’s streetscape grant are (from left) Penny Lane, Darrin Cunningham, Lindsay Campbell, Wayne
Busscher and Michelle Hudson, Labor member for Lyons Heather Butler MHA, John Dyer, Wayne Sherriff and John Deverell.
Main street makeovers
Instilling pride
in our towns
Delta Hydraulics
Devonport Golf Club
PLAY A BETTER COURSE
“Woodrising"
66 Woodrising Avenue
Spreyton Tas 7310
Ph/Fax: 03 6427 2381
New members welcome
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4014077 LD
THE streets around the
Latrobe, Kentish and
Devonport municipalities
will be getting makeovers in
the coming years—
resulting in beautiful, eyepleasing
streetscapes.
Kentish is leading the way,
with the first stages of the
Railton streetscape
complete.
The Art Deco theme of the
street was designed to
incorporate the town’s
industrial heritage.
Touches such as planter
boxes with shrubbery and
innovative seating in
vibrant colours, complete
the appearance and make
the street stand apart from
many dull, uniform main
streets.
Kentish Mayor Ian Braid
said, though there had been
initial objections from some
business owners, overall the
response had been positive.
He also said the
community had had
considerable input in the
design process.
The Sheffield main street
will also be refurbished
shortly, with the council
recently securing a $250,000
grant.
Planning has commenced
through the formation of an
advisory committee and
obviously the town’s
infamous murals will be a
dominant feature.
‘‘I think people will be
proud of what will be done
in Sheffield,’’ Cr Braid said.
Kentish Council general manager Mark Crouch (left) and Mayor Ian Braid look over plans for
Sheffield’s main street makeover.
‘‘What the council is doing
is making Sheffield a
delightful town, which it
always was but it will be
improved.
‘‘It is the premier tourist
town and this work needed
doing.’’
Improvements will include
new guttering, footpaths
and crossings.
The streets of East
Devonport will be
completely transformed
with a $5 million facelift as
part of the Eastern Shore
Refurbishment Project.
The redesign will
incorporate a contemporary
maritime theme and include
new overhead powerlines,
underground cables and
roadworks. It will take up to
three years.
Redevelopment of Station
Square in Gilbert St,
Latrobe will begin in July.
The $500,000
redevelopment will include
seating, paving, water
fountains, a stage and trees.
The revamp will
complement the square’s
historical railway theme
while adding contemporary
and practical elements.
‘‘We aim to maintain and
improve the heritage look
and feel of the area,’’
Latrobe Mayor Mike
Gaffney said.
The appearance and
practicality of the
Shearwater area will be
improved when
streetscaping is added
within the next two or three
years.
‘‘We recognise that it’s a
seaside village and needs a
certain look, and that will
be created,’’ Cr Gaffney
said.
‘‘We’ve had lots of
suggestions and
contributions from
community groups before
we made decisions on
design.
‘‘There are those who have
objections to the
beautification of streets,
believing the money would
be better spent on more
pressing matters, such as
our hospitals and health
system.
‘‘Though few could
disagree that walking down
a main street that is eyecatching
and aesthetically
pleasing instils a sense of
place and pride in one’s
town.’’
How much is all
this costing
Streetscape redevelopment
costs:
■ Railton stages one and two
(including street furniture,
lighting and paving):
$500,000.
■ Sheffield streetscape: It is
estimated $1 million will be
spent by the completion of
the project.
■ Latrobe Station Square:
$500,000.
■ Shearwater: $80,000.
Other development costs:
■ Kentish Council’s new corporate
offices in High St:
$1.5m.
■ Hawley Beach toilet
refurbishment: $133,000.
■ Port Sorell retail and commercial
centre: $15m.
■ Port Sorell aged-care facility:
$10m.
■ East Devonport Eastern
Shore Refurbishment Project:
$5m.
Total cost of developments
in the region: Over $33.7m.
Page 10 Devonport Times June 2007

Fostering young musicians
Christmas comes early at camp
SAXOPHONES, clarinets,
flutes, trumpets,
percussion, voices — any
instrument you can think
of — will come together in
June for one, big melodious
gathering.
Youth Music Tasmania is
again holding its premier
music camp at Camp
Banksia and now is the
time to sign up.
Anyone with a least one
year’s instrumental
experience and up to the
age of 24 can join in the
week-long camp.
Music director Carl
Bulow said the theme of
this camp would be White
Christmas in June.
He said the camp, held
twice a year, was a great
opportunity for musicians
to come together and learn
in a different environment.
‘‘It’s a great opportunity
to learn music, play
together and interact with
other people who play the
same instrument and with
a variety of other
musicians,’’ he said.
‘‘It’s a great social event
too, the kids really love it.
‘‘This year we’ll be
learning some Christmas
songs.’’
Specialised tutors from
all over the State teach at
the camp, imparting their
experience and knowledge.
At the end of the camp,
two concerts will be held at
Port Sorell and Latrobe to
celebrate a week of
learning and growing.
Carl said the concerts
were always well
supported by family and he
encouraged the wider
community to come along.
‘‘It’s a great opportunity
to see up-and-coming
musical stars and a wide
variety of musicians and
music,’’ he said.
‘‘And of course, to
support your local
community.’’
Musicians from
throughout the state are
encouraged to attend the
camp.
■ The Youth Music Tasmania
Winter Camp will be held from
June 4-8. The first concert will be
held at Camp Banksia at 7.30pm
on June 7 while the major end of
camp concert will be held at the
Latrobe Memorial Hall at 7.30pm
on June 8. For more information
about the concerts or camp
contact Rob Boyce on
0400 089 193.
— Stories by TRACY PAPICCIO
Youth Music Tasmania director Carl Bulow said this year’s
camp theme would be White Christmas in June.
Relax with jazz and wine
WHAT could be better than a lovely glass of wine and
some relaxing tunes on a Sunday afternoon
Ghost Rock Vineyard at Port Sorell can promise just that
on June 10, when jazz musician Andy Farrell performs.
For his show at the vineyard he will play piano and will
be joined by his wife Rosemary on vocals and Rob Cox
on bass guitar.
Matthew Hunt may also appear playing guitar, leaving
Andy free to pick up the saxophone.
The group will play a range of jazz songs from the early
era right through to modern jazz, including swing, ballads
and even some bossa nova.
■ For more information contact Ghost Rock Vineyard
on 6428 4005.
Melinda Kirkwood (left) and Ebony Richards, both of the Latrobe Federal Youth Band, along with Freddo Frog, at last year’s
Latrobe Chocolate Winterfest.
Sweet tooth to get a workout at Chocolate Winterfest
IT’S almost time to indulge
your wildest chocolate
fantasies — preparations
are underway for
the Latrobe Chocolate
Winterfest.
This year the program
will be squeezed into two
evenings and one full day.
‘‘It gives the festival more
depth,’’ event coordinator
Michelle Dutton said.
‘‘We found in past years it
was just too spread out.’’
And also new this year is
a range of activities including
the White Chocolate
Ball, Where’s the Talent
competition, Chocolate Egg
Roll, Great Treasure Hunt,
Fairy and Pixie School and
the Decorated Chocolate
Cake Competition.
And for the first time,
retailers in the area will
keep their doors open on
the Saturday evening.
For those who might be a
little put off by all the
chocolate, a quilt exhibition,
art exhibition and
sale and craft market will
also be held.
‘‘There’s really something
for everyone, and it’s not
just about eating chocolate,’’
Michelle said.
‘‘It’s a great day out when
there’s not a lot to do in the
middle of winter.
‘‘It caters for all ages,
there’s heaps of activities
and it’s a good opportunity
to come and soak up the
atmosphere in Latrobe.’’
Limited parking will be
available at the House of
Anvers as well as a free
shuttle bus service operating
frequently from
Latrobe.
■ Activities associated with the
Latrobe Chocolate Winterfest will
be held on Saturday July 7 from
6pm and Sunday July 8 from
10am to 5pm. Entry forms for
activities including cake decorating
and talent competitions are
available online at
www.chocolatewinterfest.com.au
Devonport Times June 2007 Page 11

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Jacob, 4, and Gemma Hays, 3, of Devonport, enjoy the
celebrations for Neighbourhood House Week at the
Devonport Community House.
Community house
hosts celebrations
WHAT: Neighbourhood House Week Open
Day.
WHERE: The Devonport Community House in
Morris Ave.
WHEN: Saturday, May 12.
THE day before Mother’s Day offered plenty
of fun activities for mothers to get involved in
at the Devonport Community House.
The organisation was running tasters in many
of the activities it has to offer as a finale to
Neighbourhood House Week.
There were displays of belly dancing and
pampering sessions.
Dads and kids were kept occupied with face
painting, sausage sizzles and pancakes.
There was live music and visitors had the
chance to see the new community garden
and shed. The community house does not
just offer childcare but also a range of classes
and activities, such as use of the shed or
belly dancing lessons.
Also at the Neighbourhood House Week celebrations are
Devonport Community House acting president Claire Williams
(left) and volunteer Yvonne Upchurch, both of Devonport.
Jack Eastman, 5, of Devonport, has his face painted at the Devonport
Community House for Neighbourhood House Week.
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Brothers Kade, 5, (left) and Jayden Carpenter, 6, of
Devonport, also attend the community house event.
Also at the community house are (from left) Dylan McCulloch,
8, Brodie Smith, 12, and Joel Donovan, 9, all of Devonport.
At the Devonport Community house to celebrate Neighbourhood Week are (from left) Brittany
Smith, 12, Tahlia Godrich, 11, and Tayla Smedley, 12, all of Devonport.
Page 12 Devonport Times June 2007