Entally House

The homestead was built in 1819 and the impressive front section of rooms added during the 1820s. I kept wondering what kind of place Northern Tasmania was back then. By this time the colony was settled with an estimated population of about 5,500.

What I love about Entally is the open landscape dotted with unique buildings surrounding the central, grand, house. The chapel, conservatory, stables and massive trees will instantly take you back to another time. Almost another country.

As I look back I realise that for me, Entally is an important part of my political journey. Though I certainly didn’t know it at the time, my leading of a community campaign to stop the Government and the National Trust selling a 99-year private lease became an important step in what turned out to be a political career at local, federal and now state government levels. We won that campaign, and forced a significant political backdown from the Labor Government which resulted in a much better solution to protect the home for the long haul and finding a much more satisfactory way for the private sector to bring entrepreneurship to the challenge of financing conservation and restoration costs. In this respect I want to thank Gunns Limited who have injected much needed funds and a genuine commitment to this project over recent years. The results speak for themselves.

While Parks and Wildlife will be taking over the property again in early November, we must all do what we can to continue to protect and celebrate our colonial built heritage.

We don’t owe it to a past generation of pioneers – but let’s honour them by all means – in fact we owe it to ourselves and generations to come.

Entally House website

Hawk over Bruny

I’d never been to Bruny Island until we bundled ourselves into the car for some essential family time together during the September school holidays. It all went too quick!

Taking the short ferry ride from Kettering across the channel, we drove down to Adventure Bay – the place of the first European landing on Bruny by Captain Tobias Furneaux, aboard the Adventure in 1773 and a later landing by Captain James Cook in 1777 with Resolution and Discovery.

The island itself is named after the French explorer Bruni d’Entrecasteaux who in 1792 navigated and charted the Channel region. Thank goodness he had to attend to other matters… or we might be parley vousing in francaise.

The bay at Kettering

Bruny Island is a magical place. While we were there, the weather was mild, sunny and breezy – but I can well imagine that it might get inhospitable at other times. Perhaps I’m wrong about that, but if I am I was obviously misled by the imposing, rugged and hostile looking cliffs of tough dolerite and weathered sandstone which surround the island coast all around.

Courts Island from Cape Bruny

The columns of tessellated dolerite emerge from the depths of the Southern Ocean at parallel but usually not-90 degree angles. They support their own enormous weights of hundreds of tonnes effortlessly on their even stronger foundations.

The forests, cliffs, beaches and surrounding ocean are home to an immense range of plants and animals. In fact, I reckon this place could have been named Bird Island. Too many to name, but I noticed petrels, gulls, albatross, sea eagles, crows, blue wrens and numerous hawks. We enjoyed a rare treat on a boat trip when we spotted a whale playing in Adventure Bay – the same bay which was the scene of a vibrant whaling industry in past centuries. It was just a glimpse, but that’s all you need for it to be a memorable and special moment.

A seal on The Friars

At The Friars we encountered a seal colony – they were fairly unimpressed with our presence but tolerated us (like any dominant feline when you visit a friend’s house).

A one hour drive through some forestry roads through the centre of Southern Bruny took us to the National Park – which is home to one of the oldest lighthouses in the country. This is a truly spectacular place.

Looking east from Cape Bruny lighthouse

There was no need for a cafe, trinket shop or market! To walk up the highest hill of Cape Bruny, to feel the cool winds of the Roaring 40s, to take in the spectacular reward of the views to the North West and East and to quickly come to respect the heights of the cliffs we were walking on are wonderful experiences none of us will forget.

Bruny Island neck looking south

In my line of work, it’s very difficult to ever get any length of time away. But quality time makes up for it. As we were driving away, it seemed a bit too soon to be leaving this all-too-secret place after just two nights. We were no sooner saying to each other that we must return than we found ourselves being followed – no escorted – by a hawk on the hunt, looking down, gliding and circling on the winds beside us. Yep, we’ll be back.

Pictures (c) Michael Ferguson September 2010.

This beautiful rainbow was fully stretched across the Tamar River, from Stephenson’s Bend right round to South Launceston.  Taken from Trevallyn on February 22, 2010 by Michael Ferguson.

For Australia Day

Australians are a funny lot, you’ll often hear one curse,
How things have started badly, and they’ll probably get worse,
The weathers dry, the sun’s so hot it’s stolen all the water,
The Government has never done the things we think they oughta’.

But if we hear a tourist say his home is much more grand,
They had better be prepared to make a very solid stand.
For although we Aussies may complain at what’s become our lot,
When someone knocks this country, we defend with all we’ve got.

We may criticize some teenage brat, may even wish them failure,
But we stand behind them cheering when they’re playing for Australia.
Because, if this is home to you, the country of your birth,
Then you back the native player to beat anyone on Earth.

When the cricket bats are swinging or when someone scores a try,
When a home grown horse has won the cup and made the owner cry,
When some paralympic athlete hits the front and sets the pace,
You’ll hear ‘Aussie Aussie Aussie’ as the crowd goes off their face.

And although we like to take a break in overseas locations,
If you take the time to question this nomadic population,
They will tell you without blinking that wherever they may roam,
The best part of the journey was the last bit, ….coming home.

For the sun was never brighter on the beach at Waikiki,
Than it is on all the sandy shores Australia has to see,
The water never purer nor the air as fresh and clear,
The people never friendlier than those that we have here.

If you venture to the outback where grass is scarce as snow,
As you swelter you may wonder what it was that made you go,
But just look at the locals who have lived there since their birth,
And I know you will not find a better class of folk on earth.

All across this wide brown country from the Cape to Hobart town,
There are people who will help you when you find the chips are down,
And if someone should abuse you, and does it just because,
Then that person’s not Australian, and that person never was.

So when you feel disgruntled just remember this rendition,
And never blame the country for the acts of politicians,
Look up and count your blessings when you see our flag unfurled,
And be grateful that you live in the best country in the world.

By Warren Dakin