COVID-19 ADVICE

COVID-19 ADVICE: The following links provide official advice and information about the virus known as COVID-19.
Australia's state and federal governments are taking action to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Use the links above to source the latest advice about what you can do to protect yourself and others. Washing your hands for 20 seconds is one of the most effective forms of infection control. Do this after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing; after close physical contact with anyone who is unwell; after using the toilet; before and after eating; before, during and after preparing food; and after feeding or touching a pet.

Monday, July 31, 2017

Road weather alert

Bureau of Meteorology
Tasmania


Road Weather Alert for Tasmania
for the Upper Derwent Valley, North West Coast, Central North, North East, Western, Central Plateau, Midlands, East Coast and South East forecast districts

Issued at 9:42pm on Monday 31 July 2017.

Icy roads will make driving conditions dangerous during Monday and Tuesday in parts of the North West Coast, Central North, North East, Western, Central Plateau, Midlands, East Coast, Upper Derwent Valley and South East forecast districts.

For information on any road closures, please contact your local council or the Police.
The next alert will be  issued by 5am Tuesday.

Sunday, July 30, 2017

Road weather alert

Bureau of Meteorology
Tasmania


Road Weather Alert for Tasmania
for North West Coast, Central North, North East, Central Plateau, Midlands, East Coast, Upper Derwent Valley and South East forecast districts

Issued at 9:42pm on Sunday 30 July 2017.

Icy roads will make driving conditions dangerous during Monday morning in parts of the Upper Derwent Valley, North West Coast, Central North, North East, Central Plateau, Midlands, East Coast and South East forecast districts.

For information on any road closures, please contact your local council or the Police.
The next alert will be  issued by 11pm Monday.

New doors open as another closes

The Video City outlet in High St will close this week.
VIDEO City has announced the closure of its New Norfolk branch at the end of this week. The shop at 44 High St is having a closing-down sale to clear surplus movies, games and boxed sets of DVDs after 20 years in business in the town.

Another victim of the switch to online services, Video City used Facebook to announce the move that will leave the once-statewide chain with just three stores: New Town, Kingston and Launceston.

Originally situated at 49 High St, the New Norfolk branch of Video City opened in September 1997. It suffered an $18,000 burglary a year later, and an armed robbery in 2001.

In October 2004 the video library relocated to 44 High St, initially occupying one of two new shops created within the former Coles-Fossey variety store. The business eventually expanded into the adjoining shop. The shopfront also hosts an ATM which replaced the one removed from the former ANZ branch at 24 High St.

Meanwhile, a lolly shop has opened in the former New Norfolk Gun Shop premises at 43 High St in the last few days. Trading as the Tasmanian Wholesale Confectionery Retail Store, there is a range of old and new favourites including pick-and-mix treats. See their Facebook page for more information.

The gun shop has moved into the former Mitre 10 store next door at 41 High St and is now trading as Williams Outdoors. This business opened early last month with an expanded range of fishing and hunting supplies. You can also have your watch battery replaced there.

Saturday, July 29, 2017

Today's footy scores

SFL Round 15 Results

Seniors:  New Norfolk 18.1 (124) d Cygnet 10.7 (67)

Reserves: New Norfolk 18.15 (123) d Cygnet 6.1 (37)

Colts:  New Norfolk 16.11 (107) d Southern Storm 7.5 (47)

Friday, July 28, 2017

Road weather alert

Bureau of Meteorology
Tasmania


Road Weather Alert for Tasmaniafor the Upper Derwent Valley, Central Plateau, Midlands and East Coast forecast districts

Issued at 3:59pm on Friday 28 July 2017.

Icy roads will make driving conditions dangerous during Friday night and Saturday morning in parts of the Central Plateau, Midlands, East Coast and Upper Derwent Valley forecast districts.

For information on any road closures, please contact your local council or the Police.
The next alert will be  issued by 11pm

Crash cuts power supply

TASNETWORKS reports that a vehicle accident in New Norfolk early this morning has caused an outage affecting 2498 customers in the area. A car is believed to have knocked down a pole and brought down power lines near the corner of Hobart and Glebe Rds.

Crews are on site working to restore the electricity supply. Customers in Molesworth are likely to be the first to be restored at around 8.30am, with the remaining customers by mid-morning. New Norfolk High School reports that it will be open today as usual.

The area affected by the outage has included Collinsvale, Glenfern, Glenlusk, Hayes, Lachlan, Malbina, Molesworth, Moogara, Mt Lloyd, New Norfolk, Plenty and Uxbridge. 

UPDATE: As of 12.30pm supply has been restored to all but 11 properties at New Norfolk. Check here for status updates.

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Road weather warning

Bureau of Meteorology
Tasmania


Road Weather Alert for Tasmania
for the Upper Derwent Valley, North West Coast, Central North, North East, Western, Central Plateau, Midlands, East Coast and South East forecast districts

Issued at 3:19pm on Wednesday 26 July 2017.

Ice and frost on susceptible roads will make driving conditions dangerous during Thursday morning in parts of the North West Coast, Central North, North East, Western, Central Plateau, Midlands, East Coast, Upper Derwent Valley and South East forecast districts.

For information on any road closures, please contact your local council or the Police.
The next alert will be  issued by 11pm Wednesday.

Latest footy scores

Southern Football League
Round 14 - New Norfolk v Huonville at Boyer Oval

Seniors: New Norfolk 29.11 (185) d Huonville 2.6 (18)

Reserves: New Norfolk 19.7 (121) d Huonville 2.6 (18)

Colts: New Norfolk 15.13 (103) d Huonville 3.3 (21)

Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Warning to sheep graziers

Bureau of Meteorology

Tasmania


Warning to Sheep Graziers
for the Midlands, East Coast, Upper Derwent Valley and South East forecast districts

Issued at 3:56pm  on Tuesday 25 July 2017.


Sheep graziers are warned that cold temperatures, showers and southwesterly winds are expected during Wednesday. Areas likely to be affected include parts of the Midlands, East Coast, Upper Derwent Valley and South East forecast districts. There is a risk of losses of lambs and sheep exposed to these conditions.

The next warning will be issued by 11pm Tuesday.

Sunday, July 23, 2017

Road weather alert

Bureau of Meteorology
Tasmania


Road Weather Alert for Tasmania
for Central North, Central Plateau, Midlands, East Coast, Upper Derwent Valley and South East forecast districts

Issued at 4:04pm on Sunday 23 July 2017.

Icy roads will make driving conditions potentially dangerous during Monday morning in parts of the Upper Derwent Valley, Central North, Central Plateau, Midlands, East Coast and South East forecast districts.

For information on any road closures, please contact your local council or the Police.
The next alert will be  issued by 11pm Sunday.

Friday, July 21, 2017

Road weather alert

Bureau of Meteorology
Tasmania


Road Weather Alert for Tasmania
for the Upper Derwent Valley, North East, Central Plateau, Midlands, East Coast and South East forecast districts

Issued at 2:40pm on Friday 21 July 2017.

Icy roads will make driving conditions dangerous during Saturday in parts of the North East, Central Plateau, Midlands, East Coast, Upper Derwent Valley and South East forecast districts.

For information on any road closures, please contact your local council or the Police.
The next alert will be  issued by 11pm Friday.

Thursday, July 20, 2017

Council meeting lacked quorum

TONIGHT'S Derwent Valley Council meeting was adjourned until next week due to the lack of a quorum. With four councillors absent, the monthly meeting for July was not able to go ahead.

Mayor Martyn Evans and councillors Julie Triffett, James Graham and Barry Lathey were present for the 6.30pm meeting, but a fifth member of the eight-member council was needed to make a quorum.

Cr Evans said the meeting was likely to be reconvened on Thursday evening next week. The absences were due to illness, leave, or work commitments.

Junior footy breakfast drew a crowd

Matthew Smith, left, Jayson Laycock, Jackson Hills and Dean
King at the NNJFC annual breakfast.
THE New Norfolk Junior Football Club held its annual breakfast for all junior teams last Saturday, July 15. It was a great turn out with plenty of hungry children and their parents attending at the NNDFC.

Guest speakers for the occasion included former Essendon ruckman Jason Laycock who is now playing with the New Norfolk Eagles. He gave a great insight into his days growing up as a junior footballer on the North-West Coast and how his journey led to becoming an AFL footballer.

Tasmanian Football Council general manager Jackson Hills then spoke of the importance of junior clubs with in our communities and how important volunteers are to the make-up of junior football.

The final speaker was NNDFC senior coach Matthew Smith who talked to the juniors about the importance of listening to their coaches and how they can give you the best chance of playing senior football. He also reminded the youngsters to enjoy their football first and foremost.

It was very pleasing to see coach Dean King and his Under 17 girls' team in attendance. This is the first season New Norfolk has fielded a female team and they must be congratulated on their efforts this season.

All the juniors had an enjoyable time and this continued when many went over to Boyer Oval to watch the Eagles' senior teams in action against Claremont.

A big congratulations goes to the NNDFC Old Players who once again put on a lovely meal. Thanks also to the senior footballers who attended - the kids loved it.

This event has been running since at least the 1980s and this breakfast was as god as any. A special thank you to NNJFC committee members David Banks and Vanessa Britten for a job very well done.

WADE GLEESON

Road weather alert

Bureau of Meteorology
Tasmania


Road Weather Alert for Tasmania
for the Upper Derwent Valley, North West Coast, Central North, North East, Western, Central Plateau, Midlands, East Coast and South East forecast districts

Issued at 4pm on Thursday 20 July 2017.

Icy and snow covered roads will make driving conditions dangerous during Thursday in the Western and Central Plateau forecast districts. Icy roads due to widespread frost are expected on Friday morning throughout Tasmania.

For information on any road closures, please contact your local council or the Police.
The next alert will be  issued by 11pm Thursday.

Council meeting tonight

Cr James Graham talking
about the original Derwent
Valley people at the last
council meeting.
THE monthly meeting of the Derwent Valley Council will be held at 6.30pm today at the courthouse in Circle St, New Norfolk. The meeting is open to the public and the agenda documents are available online and in hardcopy from the council chambers. 

Any resident or ratepayer wishing to ask a question or make a statement can do so in writing using a form available from the council chambers which has to be submitted to the general manager 15 minutes before the start of the meeting.

* The council budget meeting held during NAIDOC Week earlier this month featured an acknowledgement of the original Australians. At the invitation of mayor Martyn Evans, Cr James Graham paid tribute to the Big River people - the original Tasmanian Aboriginal residents of the Derwent Valley.

Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Cherry business ripe for picking

A QUICK sale of Derwent Valley cherry-grower Reid Fruits is anticipated following last week's announcement that the 160-year-old business was on the market under a world-wide expression of interest process.

Reid Fruits managing director Tim Reid said the business now had 136ha of cherries under cultivation, representing almost 10 per cent of the Australian cherry industry. This year the company accounted for close to 20 per cent of the total Australian cherry exports and the largest single Australian exporter into Japan, Korea, Thailand and India.

“Reid Fruits has developed a phenomenal reputation in Asia for the quality of our cherries,” Mr Reid said. We have our main orchards in the Derwent Valley and in recent years have developed a late harvest, 36ha orchard at Jericho, which includes 4ha of orchard under a retractable roof,” he said.

Mr Reid said recent investment had seen $4.5 million spent at its new Jericho orchard, with a further $3 million planned investment in upgrading plant at the company’s packhouse facility in Huonville for the 2017-18 season. “The business is now at a stage where we will grow two or three-fold in terms of production. Now is the ideal time for a new owner to come on board and drive the growth opportunities we have created,” he said.



Primary Industries Minister Jeremy Rockliff congratulated Mr Reid on his announced retirement and sale of his company. "Tim is a true legend of Tasmania's fruit industry, building Reid Fruits into a Tasmanian success story and an iconic local business," Mr Rockliff said.

"No doubt the decision to sell the business would have been a very difficult one for the Reid family, however, the fact that there is such interest in the business already shows that there is strong confidence in the Tasmanian primary industries sector and more broadly, growing confidence in Tasmania’s role as a producer of premium, fresh produce," Mr Rockliff said.

Mr Reid, who turns 65 this year, has been working in the industry for the past 50 years, since starting in Reid Fruits' apple orchards stacking boxes as a 15-year-old schoolboy. Reid Fruits celebrated its 160th anniversary in 2016.

“The company has reinvented itself a couple of times in that period; in the 1970s we lost the UK market and planted new apple varieties for Asian market. Then in the late 1990s we transitioned our business to cherries, moving into the Derwent Valley in 2000 with our first cherry orchard.” Since then more than 100,000 trees have been planted on the 500-acre property at Plenty.

Mr Reid paid tribute to his 20 full-time staff, which swells to more than 600 in the cherry-picking season. “We have a magnificent and highly-skilled team here at Reid Fruits. The business is now effectively self-managed and it’s time that someone else stepped in to drive this exciting new phase of the company’s history.”

Mr Reid said he was proud of what the entire cherry industry does for the local economy. “The amount of money the cherry industry brings into and invests in the state is significant … through agricultural merchandise, packaging, engineering services and framing services … and for the majority, the money we earn is reinvested in the continued growth of our businesses.”

Mr Reid said he expects the EOI process to be finalised in late October/November. “If we don’t get a reasonable bid for the company, we will keep it going because the market growth opportunity for the entire industry is very good. The demand for Australian cherries internationally is predicted to have an accumulative annual growth of 31% for 2016-21.

“The market for high-quality, wonderful tasting fruit is already there. But the health attributes of cherries and their juice is only just being realised and that will create further opportunities for growth in the Asian market.”

Saturday, July 15, 2017

Today's footy scores

Southern Football League
Round 13 - New Norfolk v Claremont at Boyer Oval



COLTS: New Norfolk 11.21 (87) d Claremont 3.4 (22)

RESERVES: New Norfolk 13.10 (88) d Claremont 7.7 (49)

SENIORS: New Norfolk 18.18 (126) d Claremont 4.5 (29)

Sunday road weather warning

Bureau of Meteorology
Tasmania


Road Weather Alert for Tasmania
for the Upper Derwent Valley, North West Coast, Central North, North East, Central Plateau, Midlands, East Coast and South East forecast districts

Issued at 11:37am on Saturday 15 July 2017.

Icy roads will make driving conditions potentially dangerous during Sunday morning in parts of the North West Coast, Central North, North East, Central Plateau, Midlands, East Coast, Upper Derwent Valley and South East forecast districts.

For information on any road closures, please contact your local council or the Police.
The next alert will be  issued by 5pm Saturday.

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Road weather alert

Bureau of Meteorology
Tasmania


Road Weather Alert for Tasmania
for Upper Derwent Valley, North West Coast, Central North, North East, Western, Central Plateau, Midlands, East Coast and South East forecast districts

Issued at 4:16 pm on Wednesday 12 July 2017.

Icy roads will make driving conditions dangerous during Thursday in parts of the North West Coast, Central North, North East, Western, Central Plateau, Midlands, East Coast, Upper Derwent Valley and South East forecast districts.

For information on any road closures, please contact your local council or the Police.
The next alert will be  issued by 11pm Wednesday.

Minus seven!

COULD this be the coldest morning of the year? The Weather Bureau is forecasting quite literally a feezing start to Wednesday, down to -7C at Westerway and Ouse, -6C at Bushy Park and National Park, -4C at New Norfolk and Lachlan, -3C at Maydena and a balmy 1C at Strathgordon.

How is it where you are? Click here for latest weather observations at Bushy Park and Ouse.

For updated road closures and warnings visit the Tasmania Police website.
Check here for road weather alerts.

Tuesday, July 11, 2017

Road weather alert

Bureau of Meteorology
Tasmania

Road Weather Alert for Tasmania
for the Upper Derwent Valley, North West Coast, Central North, North East, Western, Central Plateau, Midlands, East Coast and South East forecast districts


Issued at 3:39pm on Tuesday 11 July 2017.

Icy roads will make driving conditions dangerous during Tuesday night and Wednesday morning in parts of the North West Coast, Central North, North East, Western, Central Plateau, Midlands, East Coast, Upper Derwent Valley and South East forecast districts.

For information on any road closures, please contact your local council or the Police.
The next alert will be  issued by 11pm Tuesday.

Community market this Sunday

Derwent Valley
Community Market
Sunday, July 16, 2017

10am-2pm
at Derwent Valley Community House
The Avenue, Willow Court, New Norfolk
(Next market on August 20)

Check the conditions before hitting the road

IT'S a week of very cold starts in the Derwent Valley, with temperatures forecast to be below zero most mornings. 

Minus-two is today's expected minimum, down to -4 tomorrow, and -1 on Thursday and Saturday.

For updated road closures and warnings visit the Tasmania Police website.

Check here for road weather alerts.

Monday, July 10, 2017

Warning for icy roads overnight

Bureau of Meteorology
Tasmania


Road Weather Alert for Tasmania
for the Upper Derwent Valley, North West Coast, Central North, North East, Western, Central Plateau, Midlands, East Coast and South East forecast districts

Issued at 2:39pm on Monday 10 July 2017.

Icy roads will make driving conditions dangerous during Monday night and Tuesday in parts of the North West Coast, Central North, North East, Western, Central Plateau, Midlands, East Coast, Upper Derwent Valley and South East forecast districts. In addition, snowfall may affect elevated roads above 700m.

For information on any road closures, please contact your local council or the Police.

The next alert will be  issued by 11pm Monday.

Locals updated on Maydena Bike Park plans

Part of the crowd at the old Maydena school on Saturday.
DEMAND for premium memberships had crashed the Maydena Bike Park website hours after the offer was launched on Friday, Dirt Art managing director Simon French told Maydena residents on Saturday morning.

Speaking at an information session at the old Maydena Primary School, Mr French said it was clear there was a lot of interest from people keen to visit the mountain bike park when it opens at the end of January 2018.

About 50 people attended the session, which provided local residents with an update on the project that will build a world-class mountain bike park high above the town. The park will open with 30km of trails for mountain bike riders, starting at an elevation of 820 metres. A further 90km of trails is planned.

Mr French fielded a wide range of questions from people wanting to know more about the project which has been several years in the making, following a decision by the State Government to allow commercial development within Tasmania's national parks and World Heritage Areas.

Simon French.
His company is in negotiations with the Derwent Valley Council to convert the old primary school into the hub of the bike park. Riders will be bussed from the school to the Eagle's Eyrie and will then ride down the adventure-based gravity trails which will arrive back at the school. The bike park will be on Crown land managed by the Parks and Wildlife Service and on land owned by papermaker Norske Skog. Mr French said his company had a 10+10+10+10-year lease on the Crown land and was close to finalising a lease with Norske Skog. He proposes to either lease or buy the school site from the council.

In response to questions, Mr French said the bike park was a private development and the Derwent Valley Council had not been asked for any particular assistance, although it had been very supportive since the project was first announced two years ago. Answering another question he said the council had not charged any fees above and beyond those paid by any other developer.

Mr French said there would be many benefits for the local community including free access to a number of services on the school site. "We will upgrade the school toilets, maintain the public toilet and build a new playground for the community," he said. There will also be several bike tracks and a skills development area for newer riders, which will be free to use. Existing community uses of the school site will be maintained into the future.

The school site will include a small cafe that Mr French hopes will be supplied by local businesses and although he will be applying for a liquor licence there is no plan for a kitchen on the site. An a-la-carte cafe will operate at the Eagle's Eyrie.

Simon French, left, describing where the mountain bike trails
will approach the old Maydena Primary School.
Answering questions about employment, Mr French said there would be at least 12 people involved in the construction phase as about 24 full-time-equivalent staff once the park is operational, including about six core staff. Full-time medical staff will be based at the hub and at the Eyrie.

Maydena Bike Park will not be providing overnight accommodation to its customers but local providers will be invited to list their businesses on the official website. It may eventually be possible to book local accommodation through the same website, Mr French said.

Once the park is open it is expected that about 200 tickets will be sold each day to transport riders to the Eagle's Eyrie. Sightseeing tickets will also be available and these will be offered to Maydena residents at half-price. Transport will be provided in 20-seat mini-buses.

More information is available at maydenabikepark.com including the opportunity to sign up for email updates. An information session for business owners will be held at the school site at 6pm on August 21.

Saturday, July 8, 2017

Today's footy scores

Southern Football League
Round 12 - New Norfolk v Sorell at Pembroke Park


SENIORS: New Norfolk 27.13 (175) d Sorell 6.2 (38)


RESERVES: New Norfolk 26.17 (173) d Sorell 1.3 (9)

COLTS: New Norfolk 13.7 (85) d Sorell 11.6 (72)

Friday, July 7, 2017

Eagles derby at Sorell

Southern Football League
Round 12, July 8
New Norfolk v Sorell

THE winless Sorell side hosts the unbeaten New Norfolk side in the battle of the Eagles at Pembroke Park tomorrow (Saturday).

The Sorell Eagles are looking down the barrel of a winless season, while the New Norfolk Eagles are looking at an unbeaten season as they’ve been able to play bad football in some games but still walk way with the wins.

Sorell’s hope in this game will be to be able to be competitive, whereas New Norfolk will just want to keep on winning and remain top of the table to stamp their authority on an already impressive season.

More on  the Southern Football League's Facebook.

Council budget announcement

DERWENT VALLEY COUNCIL
MEDIA RELEASE

Council Budget 

Derwent Valley Council is planning a capital works program worth $4 million for the community during the current financial year. Announcing the formal acceptance of the Budget for 2017 today by the Council, Derwent Valley Mayor Martyn Evans said the budget document reflects the Council’s commitment to maintain and develop the region’s amenities while helping to support a safe and sustainable way of life.

“The Derwent Valley Council is responsive to community’s expectations around sustainably managing the resources of the region, while caring sensitively for the heritage built environment and keeping the infrastructure and services going” Mayor Evans said. “We’re increasing our efforts to invest in our region with the largest capital works program we’ve undertaken in at least a decade.

“Council will roll out the program over the current financial year, subject to the Council receiving a grant from the State Government’s Economic Stimulus Scheme. Some of the most urgently-needed works planned will include the upgrade to the public toilet facilities at the Council Chambers, and we’ll be doing some important work in maintaining natural resources, including weed management.

“We’ve also planned a footpath replacement program, we’ll upgrade the street furniture on High St in New Norfolk and work on the storm water system” Mayor Evans said. Derwent Valley Council is also responding to direct input from the community, with a number of new projects suggested by residents to be funded around the region.

This year’s budget will include a rate increase of 2.30% in line with the Consumer Price Index and an increase of the waste management levy, which will increase from $51.50 to $56.65.

Wednesday, July 5, 2017

Footy reunion drew a crowd

ABOUT 200 past footballers and officials turned out at New Norfolk's Boyer Oval on Saturday for one of the biggest football reunions held in Tasmania.

The gathering was for representatives of all past and existing football clubs from the Derwent Valley and Central Highlands, with people coming from far and wide to attend.

A history display put up by Ray Aitchison was a real hit with well over 200 photos and countless folders with documents and history of clubs from bygone eras. Another display that attracted plenty of attention featured historic football guernseys.

Michael Booth, left, Tony Browning
and Tony Adams.
It was great to see so many familiar faces and stars including Jason Taylor in attendance. Taylor began his football career with New Norfolk and then at a young age was signed up by Hawthorn and later Collingwood.

Jason is the son of Noel "Squizzy" Taylor who also played with New Norfolk and Hawthorn. Noel's father Cliff Taylor coached New Norfolk to win the 1945 premiership over Clarence. I could mention many more of greats in attendance, but I would be writing all day.

Barry and Jan Barwick with John
Shoobridge in the clubrooms.
It was a most successful day and to cap things off the New Norfolk senior and reserves teams had big wins against Hobart, while the Under 18s just fell short. Thanks to all who helped with the setting-up and running of the reunion and to Matthew Smith for coming up with the idea of the big reunion, as well as all who came along.

WADE GLEESON

Zac Clayton, left, chats with brothers Owen and
David Browning.

Darren Stevenson, left, with Mark Nicholls and Jason Wilton.
One of the displays at the reunion.

Tuesday, July 4, 2017

Partners aim to break down job barriers

Click image to enlarge.
PEAK employer body, the TCCI, and the Tasmanian Council of Social Service (TasCOSS) have joined forces to work on breaking down the barriers facing people looking for jobs in the Derwent Valley.

Designed to listen to local job seekers, the Jobs Action Plan will kick off with an information session next Thursday at the Derwent Valley Community House.

If you have been looking for work in the Derwent Valley, but too many things seem to stand in the way, this could be your opportunity. "We’re keen to hear about barriers faced by jobseekers in the Valley and how we can support you, including: transport, skills and training, finding the right job opportunities or employer," a spokesman said.

"You tell us! We want to help you improve your chances of getting a job in the Valley. You do not need to be registered with a JobActive provider. If you’re looking for work and haven’t been able to find it, come along and tell us about it—we want to hear what you have to say. "

The Jobs Action Plan may be able to help with:

  • Matching up with employment opportunities in the region
  • Access to coaching and support programs to get you ready for work
  • Referral to relevant skills and training programs to increase your chances of getting a job
  • Matching up with transport options

Find out more at the information session from 11am-1pm on Thursday, July 13, at the Derwent Valley Community House, The Avenue, Willow Court, New Norfolk. For more information, visit www.tcci.com.au/derwentvalley. "To help us with catering, it would be great if you could tell us you’re coming, either via the website or via a text message to 0427 544 390. But don’t let that stop you if you just want to show up on the day!"

Check the road conditions before you go

Icy Roads – Derwent Valley
Updated Tuesday, 4 July 2017 - 8:57am


  • Lake Dobson Rd – proceed with caution
  • Highland Lakes Rd (Miena area) – proceed with caution
  • Lyell Hwy (west of Black Bobs) – proceed with caution
  • Lyell Hwy (Clarence river area Derwent Bridge) - light rain frozen, ICE, extreme caution, Stornoway on site, gritting and monitoring conditions



For updated road closures and warnings visit the Tasmania Police website.


Check here for road weather alerts.

Derwent Valley road weather warning

Bureau of Meteorology
Tasmania


Road Weather Alert for Tasmania
for Upper Derwent Valley and South East forecast districts

Issued at 12:18am on Tuesday 4 July 2017.

Icy roads will make driving conditions dangerous during Tuesday in parts of the Upper Derwent Valley and South East forecast districts.

For information on any road closures, please contact your local council or the Police.

The next alert will be  issued by 5am Tuesday.

Monday, July 3, 2017

Hungarian maestro heading our way

Hungarian conductor is heading to
Tasmania to work with the Derwent
Valley Concert Band this month/
LOCAL musicians and audiences are in for rare experience when Hungarian conductor Laszlo Marosi comes to Tasmania in the middle of this month.

The internationally-recognised Derwent Valley Concert Band and the National A-Grade Band Champion, the Hobart Wind Symphony, will combine to present a program of Hungarian master-works with Dr Marosi on the podium. He will also visit New Norfolk across two days to work with both ensembles in preparation for the big concert on Sunday, July 16.

"Our guest is a great advocate and champion of contemporary music, especially the music of his home country," Derwent Valley Concert Band conductor Lyall McDermott said. "He has collaborated closely with composers and soloists and premiered many new works for wind band and orchestra and has been at the helm of dozens of commercial recordings of new music," McDermott said.

Dr Marosi has received many awards for his contribution to contemporary music; for his publications and recordings of the music of Frigyes Hidas; and for his international conducting activities – the most recent of these in October last year: the Peace Ambassador Award from "Mil milenios de Paz" - Fundacion PEA - UNESCO, Argentina.

Click image to enlarge.
Much of the music in July 16 concert has never before been played in Australia and while the composers may not all be particularly well-known, their work is wonderful, easily accessible and hugely varied in style, McDermott said. The program begins with the delightful Suite for Concert Band by Frigyes Hidas. "It opens with a festive fanfare, followed by a playful scherzo, a lugubrious funeral cortège and, an elegant and rather lovely waltz."

"Simon Reade, usually seen as the conductor of the Hobart Wind Symphony will, for this concert, be the trumpet soloist in Kamilló Lendvay’s Senza Sordina - a piece that is instantly engaging, exciting, and one that has plenty of notes for the soloist. Timon of Athens is one of 74 works for film and the theatre composed by Ferenc Farkas. This suite, drawn from his incidental music to Shakespeare’s play, beautifully conjures up the atmosphere of Greek antiquity.

"Following the interval we have the music of Gyorgy Ligeti. The Six Bagatelles for Wind Quintet is an extraordinary piece, each Bagatelle using a very restricted range of notes (the first uses just four) yet the resulting work is witty, dramatic, lyrical, energetic, rhythmically intense – and extremely difficult to play.

"The final piece in the concert is Save the Sea by Frigyes Hidas. This is a richly textured symphony depicting the many moods of the sea – from the beautifully serene to the tempestuous. Save the Sea will be presented by the combined forces of the Hobart Wind Symphony and the Derwent Valley Concert Band – 100-plus musicians on stage! A huge, brilliant conclusion to the afternoon’s performance. "

McDermott said the venue for this special concert would be the Farrall Centre at The Friends' School, New Norfolk, which he described as the most comfortable and audience-friendly venue in Hobart.
Admission to the 2.30pm concert will cost $15 and $10 concession. Refreshments will be available.

More information.

Frosty day for filming

Rosehaven creators and lead actors
Celia Pacquola and Luke McGregor
DESPITE the disappointment of losing the bragging rights to the main location for ABC-TV comedy Rosehaven's second season, significant filming has still been taking place in the Derwent Valley.

On a day of heavy fog and thick frost when local temperatures failed to reach double figures, there was much activity at Lachlan when the cast and crew of Rosehaven arrived to film at the Lachlan General Store and the adjoining Lachlan Valley Food and Wine today. The premises were transformed into the "Rosehaven Store" and "Rosehaven Bistro" for the purpose.

Other filming was done at Lachlan last week and in the first series a house in the area served as the family home of lead character Daniel McCallum (Luke McGregor) who returned home to manage his mother's real estate firm. In season two Daniel has to prove that he has what it takes to earn his place in the family business. Meanwhile, his best friend Emma (Celia Pacquola) needs to decide whether small town life is enough for her.

Later today there were reports that the crew was filming in Blair St, New Norfolk.

Extreme caution needed on the roads

POLICE warn:

Lyell Hwy, New Norfolk - junction with Pioneer Ave – proceed with caution due to black ice

Boyer Rd – Proceed with caution

Lake Dobson Rd – proceed with caution

Highland Lakes Rd – proceed with caution

Lyell Hwy – proceed with extreme caution

Gordon River Rd – proceed with extreme caution

Extreme caution on bridge decks, still isolated patches of ice present after gritting

For updated information visit the Tasmania Police website.

Check here for road weather alerts.