The News Review:
- Tasmania’s Largest Sailing Regatta Heats Up
- Gay community puts Tassie devils’ plight under spotlight
- Tasmanians ‘unhappiest in Australia’
Tasmania’s Largest Sailing Regatta Heats Up
Sail World – Feb 21, 2008
Competitors from around the state will compete across 20 divisions in the fourth annual event from Friday February 22 to Sunday February 24 with mainland entries also set to contend. From the elite Farr 40s with crews of 11 down to single-handed sabot dinghies Tasmania?s youngest and oldest new-comers and old salts are set to compete for the admired Fergusson Trophy. For the first time in the regatta?s history the state?s five Farr 40s will race in a division of their own setting the stage for the fastest closest and most competitive keel boat racing seen on the Derwent River. Tight competition is also set for the Laser Radial dinghies with 2008 Laser 4. 7 national champion Rohan Langford stepping up to compete in a Laser Radial against Elliot Noye winner of this year’s national youth Laser Radial title and Ben Price who placed third in the open Laser Radial competition. The Crown Series will also see world champion Foiler Moth sailor Rohan Veal and Australian women?s champion Samantha England take on local talents Jon Emonson and Robert Gough as the locals compete in first Foiler Moth racing ever to be seen on the Derwent.
Gay community puts Tassie devils’ plight under spotlight
abc.net.au – Feb 21, 2008
A deadly facial cancer has already killed half the devil population. The Tasmanian float at next month’s Mardi Gras will have a devilish theme and 100 dancers are busy practising their moves. Felicity gilvie reports from Hobart. (Sound of dance music)FELICITY GILVIE: Hobart’s never seen Tasmanian devils quite like this. The dancing devils line up on the stage of a gay nightclub and start waving their little red pitchforks in time to Danni Minogue. Their outfits are well devilish… The Tasmanian float at next month’s Mardi Gras will have a devilish theme and 100 dancers are busy practising their moves. Felicity gilvie reports from Hobart. (Sound of dance music)FELICITY GILVIE: Hobart’s never seen Tasmanian devils quite like this. The dancing devils line up on the stage of a gay nightclub and start waving their little red pitchforks in time to Danni Minogue. Their outfits are well devilish. Flashing red devil horns very short skirts and matching collars that are designed to look like flames. The men are bare-chested their tanned six-packs are oiled.
Tasmanians ‘unhappiest in Australia’
NEWS.com.au – Feb 21, 2008
" The Australian Bureau of Statistics last month revealed that Tasmanians continue to be the nation’s lowest-paid workers. In 2005-06 when the average real disposable household income was $644 a week Tasmania lagged 15 per cent behind. Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry CE Damon Thomas said the survey was not necessarily a criticism of employers but rather a reflection of an ambitious motivated workforce. "Employees that are continuously looking to better themselves in terms of promotions and rewards are generally the best-performing staff" he said. Unions Tasmania secretary Simon Cocker said he was surprised at the level of worker dissatisfaction but it probably reflected the structure of Tasmania’s industry. "We have disproportionately high employment in hospitality and retail trade and they are two industries which are traditionally moderate payers to say the least" he said. "n the positive side though people choose to live in Tasmania for reasons other than career and the lifestyle advantages of living in Tasmania are probably worth a couple of hundred bucks a week less than having to live in Sydney for example.