Gretna junior cricket - November 28

AFTER yet another wet Saturday night the Gretna Under 13s travelled to Cornelian Bay where they were just beaten by New Town. New Town batting first made a total of 10 for 68 runs off 16.3 overs, with seven of the Gretna players picking up wickets. Bowling: Zac Carnes made 2 for 1 off three balls, Tom Parsons 2-12 off two overs, Jack Stevenson 1-6 off two, Jacksyn Mann 1-7 off two, Hanna Mann 1-8 off two, and Josh Farrow - after bowling well in the Under 15s last weekend - continued his good form with the ball taking 1-0 off two overs.

In reply, Gretna put up a great contest, going down by just seven runs, finishing up 10-61 off 23.2 overs. Daniel Browning top-scored with a fine 15 runs which included three 4s. Next best was Daniel's younger brother Ryan who made eight runs with one 4. Well done Ryan and congratulations on playing your first game. Other run scorers were Tom Parsons with seven and Ryan Emery scoring 5 (one 4). An interesting statistic from the Gretna innings was that all players were bowled out except Ryan Emery who was run out. Keep up the great work team, you are all playing great cricket.

The Under 15s travelled to North Warrane to play Clarence but a double booking saw the game transferred to the Rokeby Village Green. Due to the change of venue and the need to remove water from the pitch, the game was reduced from 40 to 35 overs.

In a close and exciting game, Gretna defeated Clarence by one wicket. It went down to the final over. With one wicket remaining, Clarence needed eight runs to win. The cool, calm and collected Dylan Carver bowled the perfect over - a maiden - the every ball on the spot. Final scores were Gretna 10 for 105 off 34.4 overs and Clarence 9 for 98 off 35 overs. It was the Gretna boys' first win.   

Captain Aaron Triffitt led from the front with a fine 45 which included eight 4s and one 6. Aaron's innings lasted 25 overs which include a 38 run partnership with Dylan Carver (who batted very patiently) and a 29 run partnership with Jeremy Nositter who made 15 runs (one 4 & one 6). First-gamer Trent Grant made seven runs (one 4) and also did a good job with the gloves. 

There were some great spells of bowling throughout the Clarence innings. Aaron Triffitt took 3-2 off for overs, Josh Raspin 2-6 off 4, Jeremy Nossiter 1-6 off 4, Aaron Dawes 1-8 off 4 and Nathan Wakefield 1-9 off 2. The boys held every catch that came their way, in particular Brodie Gleeeson who took a ripper at first slip. Well done boys, you all showed great improvement and commitment when batting or bowling.
 
Next games: Round 6, Sunday, December 5- Under 13 v Glenorchy at Glenora District High School. Under 15 v Glenorchy at Cadbury No. 2.

Thorpie backs local produce

OLYMPIC swimming champion Ian Thorpe and renowned restaurateur Tetsuya Wakuda were in the Derwent Valley today to visit Tim Reid's extensive cherry farm at Plenty. Thorpe and Tetsuya will join deputy premier Lara Giddings on a trade mission to Japan to promote Tasmania’s cherry industry.

“Tasmania’s cherries are world class and it is testament to the quality we produce that Japanese buyers are so open to our produce,” Ms Giddings said today. “Japanese markets are noted for demanding the highest quality so having celebrities of the calibre of Ian Thorpe and Tetsuya to help us to promote our produce will help to raise the profile of the local cherry industry – particularly when we are marketing Japanese cherries to the Japanese."

“Tim Reid from Reid Fruits will be joining us in Tokyo and I congratulate him for the quality of his product and for his innovative marketing. Tim has worked tirelessly to develop a market in Japan for the Japanese cherries he grows at Plenty, including negotiating changes to Japanese legislation and satisfying stringent quarantine regulations, which has had benefits for Tasmania’s wider cherry industry," Ms Giddings said.

Reid Fruits has about 30,000 Japanese cherry trees growing on its orchard at Plenty, with fruit selling for $50 to $80 per kilogram in Japan.

The ABC has more here and the Mercury's report is here.

Decorations see the light again

THANKS to local businesses and volunteers, it is looking a lot more like Christmas in New Norfolk's High St this year.

The New Norfolk Business Alliance and the Derwent Valley Chamber of Commerce have teamed up with volunteers from the New Norfolk Lions Club and Derwent Valley Regional Arts to dust off the town's Christmas decorations, which had not been seen for several years.

Local staff of Aurora Energy volunteered their time to install the decorations on central business district light poles early on Thursday morning. Congratulations to all involved in this team effort.

Landmark tourist attraction saved

A GOOD samaritan, a barking dog, multiple triple-zero callers and the highly trained members of the New Norfolk Fire Brigade prevented this morning's Old Colony Inn fire from being much worse.

A suspected electrical fault ignited in the roof of the Montagu St building around 5am and was well alight when the fire brigade arrived shorly afterwards.

Owners James and Lydia Graham were woken by a passerby who saw the fire and raised the alarm. Around the same time, their neighbour's dog sensed the danger and alerted its owner who then called triple zero. Mr Graham trained a fire hose on the fire until the arrival of the local brigade with multiple vehicles and about 15 firefighters.

Contrary to early media reports, the bed and breakfast accommodation section of the Inn was not occupied at the time of the fire and will now be closed for repairs following extensive damage to the roof.

Mr and Mrs Graham were unharmed and look forward to having their restaurant and tea garden open as soon as possible.

See the Mercury newspaper's report and photo gallery here.

UPDATE: Damage to the structure and some contents was estimated between $350,000 and $400,000.

Quarry quandary

ABC journalist Flint Duxfield has reported on the proposed Lachlan quarry development on the ABC Rural website and it can be read here. Included are comments from the developer, Danny Hills.

Festival fantastic

A BUSY program has been organised for the third annual Lachlan Festival this Sunday, November 28. The festival is a free event held at Gleeson Park at Lachlan, with market stalls, live music, a range of food,  entertainment, raffles and prizes.

Tasmanian Wilderness Experiences will operate a free shuttle bus between the festival and the associated open day at Willow Court in New Norfolk. Visit www.lachlanvalley.com.au/festival.htm for full details of the festival and the bus schedule.

Gates open this weekend

THE Willow Court Barracks and adjacent areas will be open to the public this weekend thanks to the ongoing efforts of the Willow Court and Barracks Working Group. Entry will be by gold coin donation this Saturday and Sunday. The open days coincide with the annual Lachlan Festival being held this Sunday.

Working Group chairman John Boutchard said the committee had organised a number of activities for the weekend, with the major focus being on Sunday. "These will include readings from histories of the site and atmospheric presentations by members of the Derwent Valley Players. A free bus service will also be provided between Willow Court and the Lachlan Festival Grounds for patrons wishing to travel between them," Mr Boutchard said.

Mr Boutchard said the Working Group would start its “If the Walls Could Talk” project this weekend. "This project aims to record the oral history of the former Royal Derwent Hospital, which included the barracks and surrounding wards.  Ex-staff and patients’ families with stories and accounts from their time spent or their family’s experiences at Royal Derwent Hospital are being asked to share them for future preservation and protection before they become lost," he said. Anyone who would like to share their stories and memories of their time at the hospital can contact Aiden Sullivan on 0458 941 102.

Gretna junior cricket results

GRETNA Cricket Club secretary Wade Gleeson has provided the following results from the first four rounds of the junior season. Rounds 1 and 3 were washed out. Round 2 was played on November 7.

Under 13: Gretna 9-87 off 25 overs drew with Brighton 4-87 off 25 overs. Batting:  Jacksyn Mann 35 (4 fours, 2 sixes), Connor Salter 11 not out (2 fours), Ryan Emery 10 (1 four). Bowling: Daniel Browning 2 for 5 off two overs, Luke Crosswell 1 for 2 off two overs. Ryan Emery 1 for 5 off three overs. 

Under 15:  South Hobart/Sandy Bay 10-177 off 33 overs defeated Gretna 10-70 off 23.3 overs. Batting: Brodie Gleeson 9, Aaron Dawes 8, Nathan Wakefield 6no. Bowling: Josh Raspin 3 for 9 off five overs, Jeremy Nossiter 2-8 off four overs, Aaron Triffitt 2-26 off eight overs, Aaron Dawes 2-14 off four overs, Alex Blair 1--22 off four overs.

Round four was played yesterday, November 21. Under 13: Glenorchy 9-103 off 25 overs defeated Gretna 10-88 off 24.2 overs. Batting: Zac Crosswell 16, Zac Carnes 11 (1 four), Josh Russell 5no. Bowling: Zac Crosswell 4-14 off three overs, Luke Crosswell 1-4 off two overs, Hanna Mann 1-5 off two overs, Josh Hills 1-12 off three overs, Dylan Downie 1-14 off two overs.

Under 15: Kingborough Black 6-228 off 40 overs defeated Gretna 10-56 off 25 overs. Batting: Connor Salter 5no, Zac Webb 4, Josh Raspin 3, Alex Blair 2. Bowling: Aaron Triffitt 1-11 off five overs, Josh Farrow 1-9 off three overs, Jacksyn Mann 1-15 off three overs, Dylan Carver 1-18 off three overs, Zak Webb 1-22 off three overs, Brodie Gleeson 1-26 off four overs.

This Sunday the Under 13s will play New Town at Cornelian Bay and the Under 15s will play Clarence at North Warrane Oval.

Tourism downturn discussed

ABOUT 80 Derwent Valley tourism operators met a Ellendale yesterday to discuss a downturn in the industry, ABC Radio reported today. Convenor Nigel Tomlin told ABC 936 Hobart's Afternoons program that the situation had not been helped by major players including by Hydro Tasmania and Forestry Tasmania.

Mr Tomlin said the Hydro had closed its tourist facilities at Strathgordon, and Forestry Tasmania had sited is Eagles Eyrie near Maydena development in a location that could not be reached by car.

The ABC's report can be read here.

In the swim at Bushy Park

IT was a near-perfect day for the annual re-opening of the Bushy Par War Memorial Swimming Pool today. New lifeguard/caretaker Ian Lacey welcomed a pleasing number of visitors who took advantage of the opportunity for a swim as the temperature neared 20 degrees. Learn-to-swim lessons will be conducted for Glenora and Ouse students over the next two weeks.

The Bushy Park Pool is open from 3-6pm on school days, 10am-7pm on weekends and public holidays, and from noon-6pm on weekdays during the school holidays. Admission is $3 for adults and $1.50 for children and spectators. Season tickets cost $130 per family, $60 for adults and $50 for children.

• The New Norfolk Olympic Swimming Pool has been open since last month.

Green praise for New Norfolk

THE Tasmanian Greens this week congratulated the residents of New Norfolk, the Derwent Valley Council and the Tidy Towns Committee on their success in winning the 2010 Tasmanian Tidy Towns Award. Greens MHA, Tim Morris, who lives in New Norfolk, said the award was recognition of the hard work done by the residents to keep their picturesque town neat and tidy.

“Congratulations to all members of the New Norfolk community for their hard work and dedication to beautifying their town, and most importantly, for the love of place that is evident to all who visit New Norfolk,” Mr Morris said. “This is not just about picking up litter, it is about a whole-of-town approach. This recognition puts New Norfolk on the map and hopefully it will encourage Tasmanians and visitors to our state to swing by and check-out what the town and its environs have to offer,” Mr Morris said.

• The Keep Australia Beautiful national judge visitied New Norfolk this Monday and Tuesday to assess the town for the Australian tidy town award, to be announced next year.

Second meeting on quarry fears

ABOUT 100 people attended a public meeting at the Lachlan Community Hall last Tuesday to discuss the proposal of MSD Construction to re-open a quarry in the area. A follow-up meeting will be held this Tuesday at 7pm to enable local residents to put their concerns to members of the Derwent Valley Council.

The deadline for public comment on the proposal has been extended until November 26 and details of the development can be downloaded from www.epa.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=25579

Boyer named an engineering landmark

THE Norske Skog paper mill near New Norfolk has been named one of Australia's engineering heritage national landmarks. Engineers Australia this week honoured Boyer for being the first paper mill in the world to produce newsprint from hardwood eucalypt fibre in 1941.

State Governor Peter Underwood visited the mill on Wednesday to unveiled a heritage marker (pictured) and interpretation panel in front of 60 invited guests. The marker was presented to the mill by Professor Doug Hargreaves, national president of Engineers Australia. Boyer general manager Rod Bender received the marker on behalf of the mill.

The Boyer Mill was established by a consortium of Australian newspaper publishers in response to the shortage of newsprint in Australia during the World War I. The Tasmanian Government supported the mill’s establishment by providing a large timber concession area in the Upper Derwent Valley.

While international experts had advised that Australian hardwoods would not be suitable for paper making due to their inherently short fibres, two young Australian scientists, Lou Benjamin and John Somerville, persevered with their work and established a pilot plant at Kermandie in the Huon Valley. By 1926 this experimental work had produced sheets of paper that could not be distinguished from imported newsprint.

Construction of the Boyer Mill began in 1938 and the first paper was produced in 1941. The use of eucalypt fibre ceased in 2009. Boyer newsprint is now made entirely from softwood plantation timber.

Parliament receives x-ray petition

A PETITION calling for the reopening of x-ray facilities at New Norfolk was tabled in State Parliament yesterday. Lyons Greens MHA Tim Morris said 1032 signatures had been collected in one week, calling for the fully-equipped x-ray facility at the New Norfolk District Hospital to be re-opened, and calling on Health Minister Michelle O’Byrne to hire the staff needed to operate the facility as soon as possible.

Mr Morris MP, said the x-ray facility at the New Norfolk District Hospital was idle due to a lack of staffing, and it should be re-opened as soon as possible to assist the residents of the Derwent Valley and Central Highlands who were experiencing extreme difficulties in attending x-ray appointments in Hobart. “The x-ray facility at the New Norfolk District Hospital is already fully equipped, it has been operated by the private and public sectors over many years, and the people of the Derwent Valley and the Central Highlands want it re-opened immediately,” said Mr Morris.

“Local residents, including those at the Corumbene Nursing Home and the New Norfolk District Hospital itself, currently face a difficult trip to Hobart for x-ray services, which often results in significant delays in access to this vital medical service. After receiving 1032 signatures on this petition in just one week it is obvious that the people of the Derwent Valley and Central Highlands want the fully equipped X-Ray facility at the New Norfolk District Hospital re-opened, and the Greens are calling on Health Minister O’Byrne to heed their call, and to hire new staff and re-open the facility as soon as possible,” Mr Morris said.

Internet turns up another gem

HERE'S another view of New Norfolk recently up for sale on eBay in the form of an antique postcard. Selling for $13.50, this is a less common westerly view from the New Norfolk Bridge, probably dating to the early 1900s.

Lachlan quarry concerns

LACHLAN residents will hold a public meeting tomorrow night (Tuesday) to discuss their concerns about a proposal to re-open a quarry at 240 Lachlan Rd, near the junction with Ringwood Rd). The meeting will be held at 7pm at the Lachlan Hall. Information about the proposed development can be downloaded from

www.epa.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=25579

New Norfolk ready for judging

JUDGES from Keep Australia Beautiful will be in New Norfolk this week to assess the town following its selection to represent Tasmania in the national Tidy Towns Award. The national judge will be accompanied by two state adjudicators.

The New Norfolk Tidy Towns Committee has had a busy few day preparing for the visit of the national judge, which comes barely a week after the town's win in the state awards. Committee members, local volunteers and several councillors have contributed to the effort this week.

• A tribute to New Norfolk's Tidy Towns success can be read at the Think-Tasmania blog here.

Styx road query

GREENS MHA Tim Morris has queried why Forestry Tasmania was carrying out new road construction work in the Styx Valley when the ink had barely dried on an agreement to preserve high-conservation value forests in the region. Mr Morris called on Forestry Minister Bryan Green to explain the purpose of the roadworks.   

"Forestry Tasmania are currently advertising that there will be interruptions to traffic between Mueller Rd and the South Styx Bridge for approximately two months, and the only forest being logged in this area is high-conservation value (HCV), raising fears that new roadworks are being driven into, or are facilitating the logging of, HCV forest only weeks after the signing of forestry roundtable principles which agree to protect HCV forests as a priority," Mr Morris said.

“Minister Bryan Green needs to reveal whether Forestry Tasmania are upgrading existing roads or driving a new road into the Styx Valley to access and clearfell HCV forests, and if so he needs to order Forestry Tasmania to cease this destructive and undermining activity until the future direction of the industry is decided,” said Mr Morris.

“The Minister was unable to answer when asked about this in Parliament today, and I will continue question him about these roadworks until he reveals the truth. Now is not the time to be driving new roads into pristine forest areas, or to be carrying out major upgrades of existing roads that only access HCV forest areas.”

Ambulance staffing under fire

COUNTRY ambulance stations were being left unattended to prop up city services, State Opposition health spokesman Jeremy Rockliff said last week. Mr Rockliff said the Liberal Party had highlighted ambulance staffing shortages two months ago and this had now been reiterated by by health unions. "HACSU claims that there is not enough staff to meet demand across the state, stations are left unattended and on-call paramedics are taking ambulances home in case of emergency call-outs.  These concerns match those raised consistently by the Liberals," Mr Rockliff said.

"In September, I pointed out these problems to the Minister in Parliament. In response, the Minister said claims that Ambulance Tasmania was poorly staffed was 'simply not correct'," he said. "What is the Minister’s response now?

"Just recently, the Liberals have heard of further problems, with ambulance crews from rural branch stations, including Huonville, New Norfolk, Kingston, Sorell and Bridgewater, regularly being brought in to make up for shortfalls in Hobart. This has the effect of delaying response times across all areas, and puts people living in regional areas at real risk."

History sells cheaply

THIS interesting photo of New Norfolk in 1903 sold for US $6.57 on the action website eBay recently.  The image was attributed James Davis, an employee of Benjamin Kilburn (1827-1909), a famed American photographer and stereoscopic view publisher.

This view looks across from farmland that is now Sharland Avenue, to the area now occupied by Fairview and Norfolk North.

Popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, stereoscopic photography created a 3-D illusion by placing two almost identical photos side-by-side, to be studied through special glasses or viewers.

Local nominee in citizenship awards

YOUTH advocate Alexander Moores, 21, of Malbina, is one of four finalists in the Tasmanian Young Australian of the Year Award for 2011. The Tasmanian Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Local Hero Awards will be announced in Hobart this Wednesday, November 17.

The Tasmanian award winners will join recipients from all other states and territories as finalists for the national awards, which will be held on January 25, 2011, in Canberra. More information on the Australian of the Year Awards is at www.australianoftheyear.org.au

A man to remember

IN a corner of the garden near the entrance to New Norfolk Primary School is a small memorial to Walter Brown - possibly our town's bravest man. Awarded the Victoria Cross during World War I, he served again during World War II and was last seen striding towards the Japanese invaders at the fall of Singapore. He is worthy of remembrance today, on the 11th day of the 11th month.

The photo at left is from the Australian War Memorial collection (image number A02600) and the following text is from the Australian Dictionary of Biography, online edition.


BROWN, WALTER ERNEST (1885-1942), soldier, grocer, brass-finisher and water-bailiff, was born on 3 July 1885 at New Norfolk, Tasmania, son of Sidney Francis Brown, miller, and his wife Agnes Mary, née Carney. He was brought up at New Norfolk and on leaving school worked as a grocer in Hobart until 1911 and at Petersham, New South Wales, until World War I.

On 26 July 1915 Brown enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force as an infantryman, then hoping to see action more quickly transferred to the light horse. He embarked for Egypt in October and joined the 1st Light Horse Regiment on 14 January 1916; he later transferred to the Imperial Camel Corps. In July, having determined to reach the infantry in France, he contrived (on a plea of having lost his false teeth) to be sent to Cairo where he obtained a transfer to the 20th Battalion reinforcements.

He sailed for France in October and after serving for a month with the 55th Battalion and for six months with the 1st and 2nd Australian Field Butcheries, joined the 20th Battalion at St Omer in July 1917. In September and October he fought at Passchendaele and was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for attending wounded under heavy fire, and later, after his sergeant had been disabled, taking charge of the section, giving "a fine example of courage and leadership". He was promoted lance corporal on 19 October and was wounded in November.

Early in 1918 the 20th Battalion fought at Morlancourt and then moved into the Villers-Bretonneux sector; Brown was promoted corporal on 7 April. On 6 July he was with an advance party which took over some newly captured trenches near Accroche Wood and, on being told that a sniper's post was causing trouble, he located the spot, picked up two Mills bombs and ran towards it under fire. His first bomb fell short, but on reaching the post he knocked one German down with his fist and threatened the others with his remaining grenade; when they surrendered, Brown ordered them back to the Australian lines. He had captured thirteen men, including one officer. He was awarded the Victoria Cross.

He remained on the Somme until the Armistice and was wounded in action in August and promoted sergeant on 13 September. Brown was discharged from the A.I.F. in February 1920. In 1920-30 he worked in Sydney as a brass-finisher and in 1931-40 at Leeton as a water-bailiff with the New South Wales Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission. He married Maude Dillon, an Irishwoman, in Christ Church, Bexley, on 4 June 1932.

In June 1940, by giving his age as 40 instead of 54, Brown enlisted in the 2nd A.I.F. His real age and record were soon discovered, and he was promoted lance sergeant and posted to the 2/15th Field Regiment, but he reverted to gunner at his own request. The regiment, part of the ill-fated 8th Division, reached Malaya in August 1941.

Brown was last seen on 14 February 1942, the night before the Allied surrender at Singapore. Picking up some grenades he said to his comrades, "No surrender for me", and walked towards the enemy lines. He was presumed to have died while trying to escape on 28 February. He was survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.

Brown was regarded by those who served with him as "a born soldier, quiet, friendly and loyal beyond measure". His portrait by John Longstaff is in the Australian War Memorial collection.

Author: K. R. White

New Norfolk wins Tidy Towns title

NEW Norfolk is in the running to be named Australia's tidiest town after winning the 2010 Tasmanian Tidy Towns Award on Friday. Making the announcement at the Keep Australia Beautiful awards lunch at Richmond, judge Barrie Muir said New Norfolk had been recognised as a "valued and sustainable community town.”

“New Norfolk prides itself on providing a caring and attractive environment for its residents and visitors,” Mr Muir said. “It has a very strong Tidy Towns Committee that enjoys a positive relationship with the Derwent Valley Council.  Importantly, the [chairman] has been extremely active in involving community groups in the committee’s activities, which has produced encouraging results. Also worthy of note is the town’s relationship with Norske Skog Boyer which has been very beneficial.”

New Norfolk and other Derwent Valley communities have previously won Tidy Town category awards but this is the first time the municipality has won the state prize. Judging for the national award is expected to be undertaken shortly.

The Derwent Valley Council's Tidy Towns Committee will receive a perpetual trophy and $2000 in recognition of the state title. The award is a welcome boost for the town, already bringing welcome positive media attention, including a page in today's issue of the Mercury. Its online version can be accessed here.

 

The Tasmanian Tidy Towns program is run by the Keep Australia Beautiful Tasmania Council, with support from the State Government and the Packaging Stewardship Forum. In recent years Tidy Towns has developed from simply an anti-litter program to one that touches on every aspect of community life, both environmental and social, with the over-riding emphasis on sustainability.

Molesworth rowers do us proud

TWO Molesworth-based althetes have won silver medals at the world rowing championships being contested in New Zealand. New Norfolk Rowing Club members Kate Hornsey and Anthony Edwards both finished second in their respective events on Lake Karapiro.

Hornsey won her medal on Friday in the women's four A final and Edwards won his in the lightweight men's four A final yesterday. The Mercury has more on Kate's race here and Anthony's here.

A MELBOURNE Cup Day fashion parade at New Norfolk on Tuesday raised $86 towards a community garden at St Matthews Church. Organiser Nicole McKenzie said it was a pleasant surprise to have the attendance of Dick Adams MHR and his local staff Craig Farrell and Jess Dallas.

"It was really encouraging  to see such influential and respected people take time out of their busy schedules to come and show their support, we would like to extend our sincere thanks," Nicole said. "We would also like to wholeheartedly thank the Derwent Valley Council for their generous grant of $500 which will enable us to kick-start the project with the purchase of some raised garden beds; we were over the moon to see that our council is so supportive of small community projects."

Mini-Hydro station at Ellendale

PREMIER David Bartlett today officially opened the latest addition to Tasmania’s renewable energy sources - the Platypus Mini-Hydro Power Station at Ellendale. The station not only generates renewable energy for the township, but the developer plans to open it as a local tourist attraction. “This is a fantastic example of innovative thinking, and a truly sustainable project the local community can be proud of,” Mr Bartlett said.

The station was designed and built by former Hydro engineer Nigel Tomlin - an Ellendale farmer whose property borders the Jones River. The turbine and generator are housed in a small stone cottage, and water is fed along a 500-metre pipeline. Building the station at the head of a stream removes the need for a dam and large scale equipment.

In winter, the plant will supply totally renewable energy to most of the town, and save 75-tonnes of carbon emissions, compared to conventional coal-fired power, Mr Bartlett said. “This development has been a dream of Nigel Tomlin’s for 22 years,” Mr Bartlett said.“Encouragingly, Nigel believes there are hundreds of sites in Tasmania which are suitable for small-scale hydro generation. And it’s just as important to see innovative projects like this one in small townships such as Ellendale, as it is in the larger cities and towns,” he said.

Hollywood in the Derwent Valley

SCENES for the new movie The Hunter have been shot in the Derwent Valley this week. Locations at Maydena and the nearby Florentine Valley were filmed early in the week, before production shifted to Mt Wellington, where lead actor Willem Dafoe appeared in the swirling snow. Also in the movie are New Zealand actor Sam Neill and female lead Frances O'Connor. The psychological thriller will tell the story of a hunt for the Tasmanian tiger. The ABC has more here as does the Mercury newspaper here.

Youth group wins grant

A GRANT of $6580 has been allocated to the Derwent Valley Youth Future Action Team (D'FAT) by the Tasmanian Community Fund. A record number of organisations has received grants in the latest funding round, announced yesterday.

In its latest grant round, the TCF Board awarded $2.69 million to 138 projects throughout the state. The number of projects was the most in a single grant round of applications, reinforcing the board’s policy of encouraging smaller organisations to apply for grants (up to $10,000).  A large number of approved grants in this round were in that category.

D'FAT - a Special Committee of the Derwent Valley Council, was awarded $6,580 for the enhancing of an unspecified recreational reserve.

Lyell Highway crash

A MAN is in hospital in Hobart following a collision between a truck and a motorhome near Windsor's Corner this afternoon. Police, fire, ambulance and State Emergency Service crews responded to the crash which occured on the Lyell Highway between Hayes and Lawitta, near New Norfolk.

Sergeant Andrew O'Dwyer said the collision was between a Fiat/Winnebago motor home and an unladen B-Double truck. The Lyell Highway was closed for several hours and traffic was diverted via alternative routes.

The Mercury newspaper has a photo of the motorhome here.

Maydena accolades

NEWS of recent accolades for the Maydena Railtrack Rider was received at last night's meeting of the Maydena Community Association. President Lynne Graham said she had been advised that the Railtrack Rider - a tourist attraction created by the community association - had been highly commended in the Heart Foundation's Local Government Award, and had been a semi-finalist in the volunteering section of the Community Achievement Awards. The association was also acknowledged in the business enterprise category of the Community Achievement Awards.