Archive for the ‘Tasmanian People’ Category

David Foster: Tasmanian Royalty

When you talk about Tasmanian champion sports persons, the name David Foster immediately springs to mind, alongside David Boon and Ricky Ponting.  A few weeks ago David Foster was competing at the 2012 Royal Easter Show in Sydney along with his daughter, Janelle, and Stephen his son.

David Foster - 2012 Royal Easter Show in Sydney

David Foster with daughter Janelle at the 2012 Royal Easter Show in Sydney

David Foster: True Tasmanian Champion

by Roger Findlay

At 55 years of age, David Foster is considered to be a veteran but he’s still up there with the best.  Janelle has made sure of that as she is now his personal trainer.  After losing a cool 90kg, Janelle is now comfortable at 95kg and claims she is stronger than her father!  Ladies, if you’re reading this and you want to lose a few kilos the secret is to get up early, exercise well and eat healthy food.  Janelle and David Foster gave that exact advice for the Australia All Over program on ABC radio.


David Foster Exhibition in Latrobe

The Foster family had their own exhibition rooms alongside the Lucas Hotel in Latrobe before the Australian Axeman’s Hall of Fame got going.  We visited in 2004 and were lucky enough to witness this magnificent collection of trophies that the true Tasmanian champion had won.  Rolex watches did not look out of place alongside crystal cut goblets, gold plated axe heads and countless 1st prize sashes.

David Foster - Tasmanian Champion

Tasmanian champion wood-chopper David Foster depicted in a woodwork piece

David Foster - Trophy Display

A display of trophies won by champion Tasmanian wood-chopper David Foster

David Foster - Latrobe

A display in Latrobe in the north west of Tasmania (before the Axeman's Hall of Fame was built)

David Foster - World Champion Woodchopper

David Foster has also won world champion titles in wood-chopping

In Sydney, David and Stephen didn’t have enough to win their event but they did finish an honourable second.  A sprightly Janelle (at 95kg) competed with her father in the Jack & Jill event where they were worthy winners.  David put it down to being a vegetarian.  Yes, he eats meat that eats grass!

Tasmanian Champion and his Adoring Public

David Foster was the keynote speaker at the 2012 Reckon AP Conference held in Hobart. The YouTube video shown above was captured by Reckon’s Business Division CEO Gavin Dixon during the Jack and Jill double-saw competition at the Royal Easter Show in Sydney on Monday, 9 April 2012.


 

Michelle wrote this about David Foster in her article about the Gunns Plains Potato Festival…

When I arrived, champion axeman David Foster was at his charismatic best.  He was judging the potato cooking competitions and having an excellent time sampling all the mashed potato entries.  Some had interesting ingredients added to them, such as horseradish, as well as other sweet and savoury dishes.  David has always been very generous with his time in helping out small communities such as Gunns Plains.

Gunns Plains Potato Festival - David Foster

Champion axeman David Foster helps judge (and sample!) the cooked potatoes

Roger Findlay spends all his holidays in Tasmania, then writes about the
experience
for Think Tasmania. If you’d like Roger to visit you in the name of
research (so we can publish information about your business), please contact us.

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Map: Latrobe, Tasmania…

 

A Great Team Promoting a Great State!

I know I’m always raving about the great team we have here at Think Tasmania.  I just can’t thank them enough for all the terrific work they do, making the website interesting and varied.  But that’s not all.  They each go above and beyond the call of duty to promote Think Tasmania.  And that of course, means extra promotion for the people and places we write about.  Let me explain.

Great Team - Think Tasmania Car

With a great team, great things are really happening for Think Tasmania

Great Team Working Together at Think Tasmania

Michelle, with a little help from her husband John, risked life and limb to hang banners on their farm shed.  Leven River Farm is in Gunns Plains, and I joked about painting a big sign to attract the attention of all the passengers from cruise ships driving straight past from Burnie enroute to Wings Wildlife Park.  Before I knew it, the job was done and the signs were hanging in prime position.

Great Team - Think Tasmania Banner Advertising

Banners on Michelle's shed to attract the attention of cruise ship passengers from Burnie

Roger came up with a brilliant plan!  He needed a new wheel cover for his 4WD, so decided it would be a great place to advertise Think Tasmania.  A few emails, and a logo image later, design and print company Rusty Gate have supplied a very eye-catching, mobile advertisement geared to the 90,000-strong population of Albury Wodonga.  (Roger currently lives in New South Wales, until it’s possible to make his longed-for sea-change to physically join the rest of the great team in Tasmania).

Great Team - Wheel Cover Advertising

Roger has a mobile advertisement for Think Tasmania on the back of his car

Dan got into the act when he told me he’d like a banner for Think Tasmania too.  I happily sent one to him, thinking he would hang it from his front fence.  But no!  Dan took the concept to his local council and now has the banner strategically placed in the Tourist Information Centre in Longford, which also happens to be JJ’s Bakery.

Great Team - Tasmanian Tourist Information

Tasmanian Tourist Information Centre in Longford promoting Think Tasmania

Jen jumped at the chance to write for Think Tasmania when the opportunity presented itself.  Although she already leads a very busy life, community spirit is clearly high on her priority list.  She now has a Think Tasmania sign proudly displayed at her front gate in Mount Nelson, a suburb of Hobart.

Great Team - Think Tasmania Promotional Sign

Even on the streets of Hobart, there's signs promoting Think Tasmania!

Cassandra and Lorraine have also joined our great team and hit the ground running.  Business cards are handed out left, right and centre in their quest to write new and interesting articles about Tasmania.  And we mustn’t forget to mention Mike and Gina, who have both had a busy tourist season in their respective tourism properties (but will be back on board when they have more time to spare).

Great Team - Business Cards

Spreading the love: the great team from Think Tasmania are promoting the state

Great Teamwork from the Wider Community

Of course, there’s a lot of other people who promote the work we do at Think Tasmania.  We have a very active and positive Facebook community, and I’m so grateful to everyone who shares our articles.  We also send out hundreds of newsletters each week, and they get shared as well.  It seems like the whole state is part of our great team.  On behalf of everyone who loves Tasmania and has joined our network… thank you!


 

If you have a prominent place you’d like to dedicate to a Think Tasmania sign, contact us and we’ll make it happen.  Straight away!  And if you’re already talking us up, we’d love to hear about it and give you a shout-out.  Send us a photo or two, like these from Native Point Wines at Windermere

Great Team - Native Point Wines

Our supporters have Think Tasmania signs displayed all over the place!!

Hopefully that has answered the question:
“how does Think Tasmania attract so much attention and website traffic?”
Besides having a sound understanding of the way things work on the internet,
we also have a great team of people in the real world.
Why don’t you join us in sharing the love about Tasmania?

If you like this article about Tasmania, and you’d like to read more, just subscribe to our newsletter or join us on Facebook.  If you really like this article, and you want others to see it, you can choose one of the “share” options below.  We’d love that!

Comments relevant to this article are also very welcome, just leave a reply below.

Lorraine McNeair: Welcome to the Team!

It’s time to officially introduce Lorraine McNeair!  We’ve already explained how Lorraine first contacted Think Tasmania about Reliquaire and other places of interest in Latrobe.  Since then, she’s written guest articles for us, and has now decided to join our great team of regular contributors.

Lorraine McNeair - Reliquaire Latrobe

Lorraine McNeair wrote to Think Tasmania about Reliquaire in Latrobe

Who is Lorraine McNeair?

I am an older woman, a poet, short story writer, photographer, artist and I live on the beautiful, fertile, north west coast of Tasmania.  I was born in Victoria but we moved to Tasmania when I was about four years old.  I am married to Dale, and we have four grown-up daughters, ten grandchildren and one great-grandson.

Lorraine McNeair - Think Tasmania Team

Lorraine McNeair joins the team of regular contributors at Think Tasmania

My husband and I spend our spare time driving around Tasmania, enjoying finding little gems which have been previously unknown to us.  And we are still finding them!  I am absolutely passionate about Tasmania.  It is such a beautiful place to live and work.  As a photographer and artist I am always “snapping” wonderful views for later use, whether they be landscapes or even what is under my feet.  I enjoy writing these articles because it helps me to remember the wonders I have seen, and it stops me from becoming complacent about what is right under my nose.


 

As a volunteer with the Latrobe Information Centre it gives me great pleasure to talk with visitors to our wonderful island and to hear them exclaim about their wonderful visit to Tasmania.  Once upon a time visitors would stay only for a week or so, but now some of them stay for months, and return each year to experience more of Tasmania’s natural beauty.

Lorraine McNeair - Latrobe Platypus

Latrobe Visitor Information Centre (Photo by Dan Fellow)

Lorraine is full of good ideas, and promises to promote her immediate region, as well as the broader Tasmanian community.  As a tourist information volunteer, she is well-placed to write about the Axeman’s Hall of Fame; Bell’s Parade, Warrawee and the two Sunday markets held in Latrobe. There’s also a plan in place for Lorraine to visit the Deloraine Folk Museum and Yarns Artwork in Silk exhibition.

Lorraine McNeair - Yarns Artwork in Silk

Plans in place: Lorraine McNeair will visit Yarns Artwork in Silk in Deloraine

It’s obvious from our experience so far, that she’ll make a fabulous contributor and will be another essential member of our great team.  Welcome aboard Lorraine, and thanks for joining us!  We feel so blessed to have a network of clever, creative people around us.  All have their own individual passions, while also being great advocates for Tasmania.

Articles by Lorraine McNeair

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Sarah Woodward and her Sea Soul Studio

Tasmanian artist Sarah Woodward resides in the beautiful southern beaches
area and creates sought-after ceramic jewellery and one-off mosaics for the
home and garden.  Working from her aptly named Sea Soul Studio at the
bottom of the garden, Sarah produces pieces which are always beautiful and
occasionally surprising.  Possessing a perfectionist’s eye for detail,
married with a bohemian spirit, Sarah’s artworks are truly unique.

Sarah Woodward - Unique Clay Art Jewellery

Some of the unique clay art made by Sarah Woodward at Sea Soul Studio

Sarah creates jewellery in fine porcelain clay, including the renowned Southern
Ice Porcelain.  Each piece is hand rolled, cut, textured, fired, sanded, glazed and
fired again.  Due to the handmade nature of each piece, no two are ever the
same, which makes them all the more special to her devoted customers.

Sarah Woodward… Mostly Thinks in Clay!

I have always been the creative sort.  Throughout my entire life, the debris from my latest creation has been pushed around the dinner table at meal times! I have (and continue to) dabble in many mediums, but when I took my first course in ceramics a little over two years ago… I knew I’d found my “thing”.


 

My sources of inspiration are many and varied.  It could be a texture on a piece of driftwood; or some eclectic find at a trash and treasure market that sparks a new idea.  One of my first (and still favourite) designs is that of the flower necklace and brooch.  They are entirely hand-formed in porcelain, then they undergo the normal two firings, sanding, and glazing procedure.  Then I like to apply a liquid gold or platinum lustre, and fire them a third time to create glistening treasures.

Sarah Woodward - Flower Necklaces

A favourite design of Sarah Woodward is one of her originals, the flower necklace

When I first started to experiment in Southern Ice Porcelain (a crisp, crystalline, pure white clay developed in Tasmania) I found it challenging.  But like anyone who has ventured this way, it was also totally entrancing.  I was intrigued by the idea of a contrast to it’s beautiful texture, which led me to develop my “stitched clouds” brooches.  I pierced small holes in the clay when it was still wet, and after firing, embellished with a blanket-stitch in bright embroidery thread.

Sarah Woodward - Stitched Cloud Brooches

Combining textures and techniques, Sarah Woodward designs unique jewellery art

My art is sometimes influenced by “people watching” and paying attention to what is happening in the “alternative” art and fashion scene.  I recently developed the “pedal power” brooches in response to the fact that you can hire a bike to cruise around the galleries of Hobart and the Salamanca Arts precinct!  I have several different bike designs, including a tricycle (but I think the one with the tassels on the handlebars is my favourite!).

Sarah Woodward - Bicycle Brooch

Inspired by hiring bikes to ride around Hobart and the Salamanca Arts Precinct

Moving into Mosaics at Sea Soul Studio

The mosaics began after I spent time working with friends on a large-scale community project.  It satisfies my desire to recycle and justifies my compulsion to scour markets, tip shops and garage sales.  Not to mention that smashing things is rather therapeutic and, I think, a perfect balance to my fine, concentrated detail in ceramic work.


 

The large, decorative bowl pictured contains a stunning Wedgewood dinner plate as its main feature, which I can assure you was already chipped before I got to it!

Sarah Woodward - Mosaics

Sarah Woodward is now making mosaics from her Sea Soul Studio workshop

Being a maker in Tasmania at this time is wonderful.  There are so many supportive people and events and so much talent to be inspired by.  My work can be found in Spacebar Gallery, Salamanca and I welcome commissions or special requests.

Contact Sarah Woodward via email or join her Sea Soul Studio Facebook page.

If you like this article about Tasmania, and you’d like to read more, just subscribe to our newsletter or join us on Facebook.  If you really like this article, and you want others to see it, you can choose one of the “share” options below.  We’d love that!

Comments relevant to this article are also very welcome, just leave a reply below.

Adore U: Resin Gems by Jasmine Shepherd

Adore U was founded by Tasmanian designer Jasmine Shepherd.
Her resin jewellery is sold in upmarket retail outlets around the state
and online.  We think her work is stunning, and would make a fabulous
Tasmanian holiday souvenir (just the right size for hand-luggage!).
After a little gentle persuasion, Jasmine agreed to share her story with us!

Jasmine Shepherd: We Adore U!

I have lived in Tasmania since I was six, but it wasn’t until I lived in London for 18 months that I truly appreciated how lucky we are. Tasmania is without a doubt one of the most beautiful places to live in the world.  My name is Jasmine Shepherd; I am a loving mum of two-year-old Ollie, a wife and a business owner.

Adore U - Red Resin Ring

Jasmine Shepherd combines beautiful colours and patterns in her Adore U resin range

Tasmania is where I met my husband, purchased our house, had our baby, and it has always felt like home.  I remember travelling as a child and the excitement I used to feel as the flight came over this green, plush homeland.  Even back then I used to love the beauty!


 

Adore U is my business and as a designer I take great pride in promoting my products as “Handmade in Tasmania”.  There is something about saying “handmade in Tasmania” that says quality.  When we lived in London there were Tasmanian-made products in the local supermarket we went to, and I felt a huge amount of pride.  I didn’t know that one day it would be my products with the same quality label.

I started Adore U in April 2010 when my adorable son Ollie was just four months old.  The intention was never to start a business, but I love to keep busy and like to have a project on the go.  So when my little man was sleeping I would be busy starting what has turned out to be a really rewarding and successful business.

Adore U - Silver Petal Resin Ring

Adore U silver petal resin ring handmade in Tasmania by Jasmine Shepherd

Adore U was launched on a Facebook page; I had no expectations.  Friends started to like my page and then people I didn’t know.  When I look back now I have to giggle; it was so amateur, the photos were poor quality, the prices ridiculous.  There was so much to learn!  To be honest before I set up my page, I didn’t even know businesses were on Facebook but I soon fell into the swing of things and could not believe the power of networking online.  It was so exciting and before I knew it, orders were coming through from people I didn’t know… yay!

Handmade in Tasmania and Sold…

12 months ago we built a website for Adore U which has given us great exposure, including an online store.  People can now purchase our range worldwide.  Given the quality of our beautiful range we have been approached by some of Tasmania’s most exclusive boutiques and galleries.

  •  Gallery Salamanca ~ 65 Salamanca Place, Hobart, Tasmania
    A beautiful gallery showcasing Australian, notably Tasmanian,
    artistic talent.  Located in the historical Salamanca, well worth
    a visit next time you are in the area.
  • Aspect Design ~ 79 Salamanca Place, Hobart
    Featuring unique jewellery designs
  • Lime Gifts ~ 145 Hobart Road, Launceston, Tasmania
    A fantastic place to shop when looking for something unique,
    or an exclusive gift for a friend and of course yourself.  Lime
    has that perfect gift or item for all areas of the home, including
    kitchen, garden, bathroom, general homewares as well as unique
    gifts. Located in Kings Meodows, Launceston Lime is loved by all.
  • Saffire Freycinet ~ Coles Bay, Tasmania
    Saffire has just been named Top Luxury Accommadation at the
    Australian Tourism Awards.  It’s a premium boutique property
    that is truly in touch with the beauty and depth of nature.
    Staying at Saffire is an experience designed to enrich and uplift,
    giving a new perspective in this unique environment.
    A must visit for anyone travelling.
  • Rosehip & Co Homeware and Gifts ~ Shop 8/50 Birdge Street,
    Richmond, Tasmania
    Tucked away in historical Richmond, this delightful boutique
    gift shop is a must see
  • Scottsdale Arts and Framing ~ King Street, Scottsdale
    Welcomes patrons with the works of celebrated and emerging
    artists in warm, contemplative and contemporary surroundings
  • Under the Oak ~ Ulverstone
    This new boutique is full of amazing Tasmanian handmade items,
    the range is extensive and the quality if fabulous.
    Take a peek if you’re in the area.
Adore U - Zero Degrees Necklace

New to the Adore U range, Zero Degrees, remarkable jewellery handmade in Tasmania

Resin: Challenging but Beautiful

My husband is an amazing support.  He might regret it now but he introduced me to resin as a Christmas gift (he knows me well).  I was not really sure about it (and a little reluctant at first) but then I used it and quickly fell in love.  I’ve now included a large range of beautiful resin.  Resin is challenging to work with, the end results can be effected by so many things including temperature and humidity, not to mention a sneaky bit of dust or fibre from clothing.  But when you can perfect it, the outcomes are amazing.  Adore U resin pendants and rings are set in quality silver plated bezel settings and take approximately three days to complete.  We have recently started making personalised pendants which have been really popular for Christmas gifts and I am sure I will be kept very busy leading up to Mother’s Day.


 

I am always looking at ways to keep things fresh and new and when ideas keep coming back to me, I know I need to take action.  After falling in love with the tactile nature of sea glass, I have released our new Zero Degrees range.  These romantic hand strung glass beads have been tumbled with water and sand to re-create the actions of waves and to produce a beautiful frosty texture, similar to that of sea glass.  Our Zero Degrees range is finished using quality sterling silver, making these a gorgeous new addition to any jewellery collection.

Adore U - Necklace & Earrings Set

A stunning set of Adore U jewellery: necklace and earrings, perfect as a gift or souvenir

Before Christmas, I lost a loved one.  Since then, I have taken some time to re-evaluate the direction of Adore U and I’m now (more than ever) committed to producing the highest quality items I can.  I am using sterling silver at every opportunity for earrings and necklaces.  In the past I have hit road blocks, not being able to find the items I need.  But now I have enrolled to study and further my skills and I look forward to working with silver and precious metals in the very near future.

When people think Adore U, they should think beauty, quality
and most importantly: handmade in Tasmania.

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Comments relevant to this article are also very welcome, just leave a reply below.

Gourmet Food Tour: A Four-Hour Feast!

Make no mistake, this Gourmet Food Tour is about eating some fine Tasmanian produce.  And not just samples; I mean full-on, meal-sized portions.  In fact, when I sorted through the photos to write this article, I was a a bit shocked at the amount of food we’d consumed in one four-hour morning walk.  But a stroll with Mary around Hobart includes so much more than just good food.

Gourmet Food Tour - Brunswick Hotel

Squid with Spanish Chirizo: Mary takes guests to the Brunswick Hotel on her gourmet food tour

Gourmet Food Tour: Take a Walk Around Hobart with Mary

We met Mary McNeill (the founder of Hobart-based Gourmania Food Tours) at the start of the day outside the Tassal Salmon Shop in Salamanca.  Mary has travelled extensively and has a wealth of experience in the hospitality industry.  She studied Classic Pastry Arts at the prestigious French Culinary Institute in New York and went on to work as a pastry chef in the United States.

Gourmet Food Tour - Tassal Salmon Shop Salamanca

Gourmet food tour guests meet at the Tassal Salmon Shop in Salamanca for the Hobart City Tour

Gourmet Food Tour - Wursthaus Kitchen

Sample deli meats at the Wursthaus Kitchen on the Hobart city gourmet food tour

Mary, with her American husband, has since returned to Hobart to raise her young son and enjoy the lifestyle.  And after some extensive international research, she established her gourmet food tour in 2011.  As a proud, sixth-generation Tasmanian, Mary leads her guests around Hobart on a culinary journey that incorporates a great deal of local and historic knowledge.

Gourmet Food Tour - St David's Park, Hobart

Mary shares her wealth of local knowledge as she leads her guests around Hobart

Walking in Hobart, Gourmania Style

This gourmet food tour winds around the Hobart streets with Mary pointing out features along the way.  While there’s a busy schedule of eating to maintain, the total walk covers only 3kms (so a fairly comfortable stroll by most standards).  Mary is constantly calling ahead to the next venue, keeping everyone to the timetable.  It’s such a great concept, walking in the door and having the allocated dish brought straight to you!

Gourmet Food Tour - Jackman & McRoss

Coffee, juice and pastries from Jackman & McRoss, an iconic Hobart bakery

Gourmet Food Tour - R Takagi Sushi

A stop for avocado sushi in Liverpool Street on the gourmet food tour

And what would a gourmet food tour be without the sampling of wines as well?  That’s also covered in Mary’s gourmet food tour, with a visit to Hobart wine and beer retailer, Cool Wine.  We were lucky to meet with co-owner and celebrated wine expert Tim Goddard, who shared his thoughts about the wine industry in Tasmania.


 

Tim is an interesting and amusing bloke!  He’s travelled the world, and is clearly passionate about his role as a wine judge; but he’s not the least bit pretentious.

Gourmet Food Tour - Cool Wine

Mary McNeill: Mapping Out a Tasmanian Food Experience

Guests receive a map with each venue marked and a space for tasting notes.  I didn’t take any notes!  I was too busy enjoying the taste of the food and the sights of the city.  But the map will come in handy when I want to visit those places again or recommend them to friends.  Not all of them require a map, though.  The gourmet food tour is a loop circuit starting and finishing at Salamanca, and you visit Constitution Dock for a bite of fish.  What could be more “Hobart” than that?

Gourmet Food Tour - Constitution Dock, Hobart

Seafood from Constitution Dock... can't get more "Hobart" than that!!

The gourmet food tour is a great experience for new locals (like us); but for international tourists, even more so.  Dominic Bates from the UK was also on our tour.  Dominic is the editor of Walk Magazine, and was here on assignment courtesy of Tourism Tasmania’s Visiting Journalist Program.


 

We had great fun with him, stirring him mercilessly for sleeping in and missing the first half of the tour.  He took it all on the chin in good spirit.  And really, who could blame the poor man, after his hectic schedule of climbing Cradle Mountain and walking Maria Island?  He can read about the delicious food he missed out on now, anyway!

Gourmet Food Tour - Gavin Horne, Mary McNeill & Dominic Bates

Gavin with gourmet food tour guide Mary McNeill & UK journalist Dominic Bates

At the end of the walk around Hobart, we returned to Salamanca.  We did some cheese tasting at A Common Ground, and then took a seat at Smolt for a delicious warm salad with potatoes, beans, cauliflower, pine nuts and a really yummy dressing.  A final coffee, and we were set to go home (to lay on the couch with our jeans undone!).  This is one gourmet food tour that delivers on the promise of a journey of indulgent discovery and is well worth the ticket price.

Gourmet Food Tour - A Common Ground

Sample some Tasmanian cheese at A Common Ground, Salamanca Hobart

Gourmet Food Tour - Smolt, Hobart

Enjoy an amazing array of gourmet food on the City Tour with Gourmania Food Tours Tasmania

Gavin and Tania were guests of Mary McNeill on the
Gourmania Food Tours Hobart City Tour. Tours run 9.30am–1.30pm,
Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays (except public holidays).
Other weekdays by arrangement and pending availability.
The City Tour costs $120 per person all inclusive.

If you like this article about Tasmania, and you’d like to read more, just subscribe to our newsletter or join us on Facebook.  If you really like this article, and you want others to see it, you can choose one of the “share” options below.  We’d love that!

Comments relevant to this article are also very welcome, just leave a reply below.

Map: Gourmet Food Tour, Hobart Tasmania…

What is Think Tasmania?

Good question that! In fact, “what is Think Tasmania?” is a question owners Gavin and Tania get asked quite a lot.  So here’s the answer!

What is Think Tasmania - Tania (Mt Wellington)

Tania, co-owner of Think Tasmania, at the Mount Wellington lookout in Hobart

What is Think Tasmania: From the Beginning!

Four years ago, the Horne family set out to house-sit their way around Australia. Home-schooling, working on the road… the whole bit. Their first job was in Tasmania. They arrived, fell in love with the place, and soon decided to abandon the rest of the trip. They went home and had a huge garage sale. And with a suitcase each and a laptop to their name, they moved here to live permanently.

What is Think Tasmania - Moving to Tasmania

The Horne family decided to move to Tasmania for the ultimate sea-change

With the sea-change, they wanted to start a business together. Gavin is a qualified and experienced software developer. Tania’s paid work was in office administration, and she studied writing and basic digital imaging in her spare time. It seemed obvious (to them anyway!) that they should start a website. Their first mission was an intense research campaign to find an untapped, niche market. It had to be a topic they could relate to, that had a unique angle and the potential to inspire readers.

What is Think Tasmania - Inspiring Readers

What is Think Tasmania: inspiring readers to explore and discover Tasmania

Inspiration, Ideas and Lots of Research

When they moved, the media in Tasmania was rife with tales of woe: smaller operators in the state’s tourism industry weren’t getting enough attention, particularly in the regional areas. Bingo! That’s where they would direct their focus. Tania had already studied travel writing, so the next logical step was to study search engine optimisation and how best to generate internet traffic.

What is Think Tasmania - All Things Tasmanian

As editor of Think Tasmania, Tania loves to make the articles shine!

Gavin and Tania devised a long-term action plan that revolved around sustainable, organic traffic growth; rather than adopting some of the proposed quick-fix, ethically-debatable options. They knew if something was worth doing, it was worth doing right… especially considering the time it would take to get established. They also studied for a certificate in micro-business, which gave them great insight into that market.

What is Think Tasmania - Devil Jet

Looking and learning, finding the best way to feature businesses on Think Tasmania

Think Tasmania Team Effort

They began compiling articles about Tasmania using their personal, first-hand experiences. They included holiday snapshots to verify the authenticity of their stories. Before long, Think Tasmania had a regular following.  As “new” Tasmanians, they saw everything with fresh eyes. They loved their adopted home state and wrote from the heart. But the supply of material was more than they could handle on their own. Eventually, other writers and photographers with a similar mind-set started contributing articles and Think Tasmania evolved into the great team effort it is today.

What is Think Tasmania - Holiday Snapshots

Including holiday snapshots to verify the authenticity of each article about Tasmania

With a constant, reliable flow of information to publish, it became clear that Gavin and Tania needed the power of social media to up the traffic ante. This would give the business owners they were writing about the best possible exposure. Another round of study was due! Rather than dilute their efforts over lots of channels, and possibly fail at them all, they chose Facebook as the most suitable vehicle for Think Tasmania and gave it everything. As it turns out, that was another very fortunate decision.

What is Think Tasmania - Traffic Growth

Increase web traffic: Think Tasmania uses an individual, social media plan

Growth: Writers, Content and Traffic

With Facebook and extra writers on board, Think Tasmania started to incorporate information about other small-medium business owners. To truly represent “all things Tasmanian” they needed to include makers and growers; retailers, associations and the hospitality trade as well as the original tourism operators. Another increase in traffic!

What is Think Tasmania - Not Just Tourism

Think Tasmania covers articles about all things Tasmanian, not just tourism

These days, Gavin and Tania share the knowledge they have gained about blogging, social media and digital imaging. They also manage the online presence for other business owners. An umbrella company named Think Network has been launched, with the very apt slogan: making the net work for you!

What is Think Tasmania - Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary

IT manager Gavin also stays in touch with the real-world in Tasmania

The Management of Social Media

So what is Think Tasmania in a nutshell? It’s is all about helping local business owners get noticed on the internet, where they might otherwise be just a drop in a very big ocean. Between them (and their wonderful team) Gavin and Tania have the perfect combination of skills for the job. And while others struggle with the time commitment, constant changes and nuances of social media… it’s all in a day’s work for them, really!

What is Think Tasmania - Tahune AirWalk

Think Tasmania is a real family affair when it comes to the research missions!

Articles written by Gavin ~ Articles written by Tania

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Think Tasmania Mission

To provide articles written from first-hand experience by locals & experts with a passion for Tasmania & all things Tasmanian.

Do you want us to write about your place, product, event, etc. and publish on Think Tasmania? We'd love to! Just let us know. We'll come along and visit just because we're nice, we can and we want to!

We have a rotating schedule of material to write about, and we'll add your details to that. If one of the team is visiting your area... we'll pop in to say hello. That's the beauty of Think Tasmania: we're so flexible, and easy to get along with!!

We also accept good quality, appropriate articles from guest authors. See the information in our article posted Sept 05 2011 or contact us to find out more.

Article Archive
Gee thanks…

Your site and news gets better and better every time I receive a newsletter. The topics are so diverse and the photography superb. I am amazed at the number of Tasmanians, including new Tasmanians, who wish to share their knowledge with everyone. It is very generous of them. All the best.
- Janette

Wow, this e-zine is fantastic! I'm very impressed. You manage to cover a lot of ground really well; if I didn't live here already, I'd definitely want to, or at least to have an extended visit, based on your articles and information.
- Mary

One of Tasmania's great tourism-focused blogs, Think Tasmania has stories and insights which you should definitely follow ...call on by now.
- Discover Tasmania

Found you on Facebook, and I've shared. Everyone loved your site and how well you publish the stories. They cant wait to go to Tassie now themselves. Thanks a million...
- Jen

Your website is wonderful: full of life, colour and pertinent information, so well done you.
- Allegra

I love your website – so informative about all aspects of Tasmania, particularly family-friendly options. I’ll be sure to tell all my friends about it. Keep up the great work.
- Chrissy

I forgot how many great places we have to visit close to Launceston. Thanks for the reminder.
- Jo

It takes little reminders of these beautiful places from your Facebook page to remind me to revisit. So a big thanks to you.
- Dianne

We have been to Tassie many times BUT this is the best info we have had. Thank you.
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