The News Review:
- International bid to save Devils
- Tas govt freezes hospital health reforms
- Warriors tame Tigers
- A big three all over not likely
- Special bricks for Port Arthur revamp
- Di Venuto could get Test call
International bid to save Devils
BBC News – Oct 22, 2007
The world’s largest carnivorous marsupial has been devastated by a mysterious facial tumour. Experts fear that the unusual animal could be extinct within 30 years. It is hoped that by relocating healthy animals away from Tasmania the future of the species can be safeguarded. The cantankerous Tasmanian Devil was given its name by early European settlers. Although it is only the size of a small dog this carnivorous marsupial can look and sound exceptionally fierce. But despite the appearance of strength and aggression the Devil population in Tasmania is in real trouble. A cancer that eats away at the mouth and face has in some parts of the island killed more than 90% of adults… Experts fear that the unusual animal could be extinct within 30 years. It is hoped that by relocating healthy animals away from Tasmania the future of the species can be safeguarded. The cantankerous Tasmanian Devil was given its name by early European settlers. Although it is only the size of a small dog this carnivorous marsupial can look and sound exceptionally fierce. But despite the appearance of strength and aggression the Devil population in Tasmania is in real trouble. A cancer that eats away at the mouth and face has in some parts of the island killed more than 90% of adults. It is thought the disease is spread when the animals bite each when they are mating or fighting.
Tas govt freezes hospital health reforms
Sydney Morning Herald – Oct 22, 2007
The hospital in the marginal federal Liberal-held seat ofBraddon had been earmarked for downgrading but Mr Howard in Augustannounced it would be underwritten by the federal government. It has since become a binding agreement and will cost thecommonwealth up $64 million a year to own and operate as astand-alone community hospital. The Australian Medical Association (AMA) of Tasmania describedthe reforms as the most important for the health system “duringthis generation”. “If implemented within a timely and coordinated manner it willdeliver a quality affordable and sustainable Tasmanian healthsystem for the next generation” an AMA statement said. “The recent federal takeover of the Mersey has causeduncertainty with its implementation timetable.
Warriors tame Tigers
Sydney Morning Herald – Oct 22, 2007
The wicketkeeper batsman smashed 27 off 29 balls before he skiedone into the deep. Earlier in the day two wickets in the one over to left-arm offspinner Aaron Heal and some dreadful running between the wicketsrestricted Tasmania’s tally. Heal’s two wickets in the 26th over sparked a Tasmanianmiddle-order batting collapse as the Tigers went from a comfortable2-85 to 4-85. For his efforts Heal was named man of the match. The youngster took the prized scalp of Tigers captain DanielMarsh for 34 with the second ball of his fourth over and followedthat up by dismissing Dane Anderson four balls later. Both batsmen were caught behind by wicketkeeper Ronchi. Ronchi had earlier broken a 68-run second wicket partnershiprunning out Tasmanian opener Michael Dighton.
A big three all over not likely
Sydney Morning Herald – Oct 22, 2007
Gosford is in the heart of Robertson which the Liberal JamesLloyd holds by 6. Joblessness is also high in the crucial marginal seats of Bassand Braddon in Tasmania. The unemployment rate across northernTasmania is 6. In the Mersey-Lyell region it is evenhigher at 7.
Special bricks for Port Arthur revamp
The Age – Oct 22, 2007
The Separate Prison built between 1848 and 1852 is a raresurviving example of the separate treatment system that moved awayfrom hard labour punishment to a system of reform throughisolation. Life inside was still harsh with prisoners isolated in tinycells for up to 23 hours a day. The conservation project in south-east Tasmania includesreconstruction of the prison’s perimeter yard walls. The decision to reconstruct was based on extensive research andconsultation within the heritage conservation industry by the PortArthur Historic Site Management Authority says project manager JoLyngcoln. “It’s one thing to tell people how this incredibly rare buildingwould have looked and quite another for visitors to experience itfor themselves. “The dominance of the Separate Prison over the Port Arthurlandscape can only be translated in this way Ms Lyngcoln said. The Tasmanian-made bricks have a special mix of local clay witha high shale content to reduce shrinkage… “It’s one thing to tell people how this incredibly rare buildingwould have looked and quite another for visitors to experience itfor themselves. “The dominance of the Separate Prison over the Port Arthurlandscape can only be translated in this way Ms Lyngcoln said. The Tasmanian-made bricks have a special mix of local clay witha high shale content to reduce shrinkage. Before being used to reconstruct the walls next February thebricks will be stored on site to allow them to stabilise in aprocess known as grassing. Ms Lyngcoln said this would allow them to “grow” which they didafter firing. “Normally in every day construction this is not usually aproblem but it is a factor here given the tight engineeringtolerances of this project” she said. Production of the special bricks is just one component of thecomplex works being undertaken at the Separate Prison between nowand June 2008.
Di Venuto could get Test call
Sunderland Echo – Oct 22, 2007
And that could hit Durham’s chances of getting the Tasmanian back next season. The 33-year old left-hander who averaged 26. 77 in nine one-day internationals for Australia nine years ago made an impressive return to state cricket last week. He hit 178 in the second innings to deny Queensland victory in Brisbane in their four-day Pura Cup match. Tasmania coach Tim Coyle believes Di Venuto ? who plays for Durham as a Kolpak player as he has an Italian passport through his father ? is a strong candidate for the Test team which has a home series against Sri Lanka starting next month… 77 in nine one-day internationals for Australia nine years ago made an impressive return to state cricket last week. He hit 178 in the second innings to deny Queensland victory in Brisbane in their four-day Pura Cup match. Tasmania coach Tim Coyle believes Di Venuto ? who plays for Durham as a Kolpak player as he has an Italian passport through his father ? is a strong candidate for the Test team which has a home series against Sri Lanka starting next month. “I’m not sure of the selection criteria but they don’t have any trouble picking a 36-year old leg spinner Stuart MacGill and they are also considering Brad Hogg as a spinner at 36″ said Coyle. “Someone tell me the difference between a 36-year old wrist spinner playing Test cricket and a 33-year old opening bat? I wouldn’t have thought there is too much difference. “In many people’s eyes they would assume it’s gone past him at 33. At the same time he’s just in fantastic form.