FREE NOVEMBER 2020 $40K Invested in Healthy George Town Read more on Page 8 Artist with a message! Beaconsfield Bank Local artist sends a powerful The New Bendigo Bank Agency in message Beaconsfield is now open! Page 2 Page 6 GET YOUR BUSINESS ONLINE! Flare Leap is a local business based in Launceston, specialising in: Website Design Social Media Management Online Learning Digital Marketing SEO & SEM Cyber Security Speak to our local experts today! (03) 6327 1731 [email protected] 2 www.TamarValleyNews.com.au Young George Town artist sends powerful message on new, mobile canvas Local George Town artist Alyssia Sky, aged 9, stands next to her artwork, now displayed on a George Town garbage Truck. (Photo: Zac Lockhart) Caring for the environment is something talent we have in all of our artists right Alyssia stood out from the crowd. people the value of reusing and recycling that is becoming more widely spoken about across all demographics and here is just because it is important, and we need to keep amongst many communities with more and another example from Alyssia who’s 9, and Alyssia received a $500 ‘Why leave town?’ Tasmania clean. more places starting to provide recyclable have a look at what she’s produced” said gift card for her entry that can be redeemed utensils such as Café’s opting for reusable Shane Power, who was gleaming with pride within the local township along with two Alyssia’s mum Delanie Sky said that she was coffee cups rather than a throw away only at the end result of the artwork. lovely bunches of flowers. very proud of her daughters achievements option. and stated that Alyssia had always been in- In keeping with the theme, Shane stated that Her name is also underneath the artwork terested in environmental issues and social The George Town council launched an art Alyssia’s artwork does a number of things, on the truck which Shane stated she will justice. competition earlier this year for anyone including giving pride and ownership to be able to look back at and be proud of her under the age of 21 wishing to put forward the community about what responsible achievement. It was clear by the work produced that Alys- their design for the artwork on the side of environmental management might look like sia had really taken the time to think about the garbage truck with the theme for the along with emphasising the importance of The community will also get to see the art- her design to get the right end result, with design being, ‘What does a waste free Tas- reusing, recycling and repurposing. work and put a name to the picture. the first couple of designs being thrown in mania look like’. the bin according to mum Delanie. “I think Alyssia has absolutely nailed it in When asked about how she felt when the George Town Council General Manager her artwork.” He said. competition winner was announced, Alyssia Delanie also commented that they don’t Shane Power, Deputy Mayor Tim Harris, said she was “extremely excited.” always put out their bin with the red lid and and some key representatives from the Shane also stated that he believed the recycling is something they speak about at Councils Waste Department attended the artwork symbolised what we are here to She wanted her design to show the impor- home, “everyone has to do it” she said. presentation to congratulate competition achieve and that is that, “we are all respon- tance of caring for Tasmania and started winner, and local George Town artist Alys- sible for preserving our planet for the next to brainstorm some ideas about what that sia Sky. generation” and “it also looks good”. might look like. Shane confirmed that they received many “We are becoming more aware of the local entries, however the quality produced by Alyssia also said that she wanted to show Advertise here! Email [email protected] Have News? Email: [email protected] 3 Live music events return to the Safe places for Tasmanian wom- Tamar Valley en and children escaping violence The Launceston Women’s Shelter has been successful in obtaining $1.9 million Federal Government funding through the Safe Plac- es Emergency Accommodation program. Federal Member for Bass Bridget Archer said the funding will enable the shelter to further support Tasmanian women and children escape domestic violence with the construction of extra accommodation. “Sadly the home environment is not always a safe and secure place for some in our community,” she said. “Domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness, which is why I’m a strong advocate for ensuring organisations like Launceston Women’s Shelter are supported in their important and valued work. “Shelters ensure women and children have somewhere safe to sleep as well as provid- ing access to specialist family and domestic violence services to create change amid DJ Kevin Turner with Bec Jones at Tamar Ridge ahead of the upcoming music events (Photo: Zac Lockhart) traumatic circumstances. Local events are starting to regain their people through in twos and threes.” Local DJ Kevin Turner said that Vinyl in the dominance following the COVID-19 pan- But despite the negative interference from vines was a fun idea of matching music with “When women make the brave decision to demic, with local winery Tamar Ridge set the global pandemic, it’s not been all bad. wine. leave it is vital that they are supported by to host a series of live music events in their our community.” new summer program. “It’s kind of affected us for the better,” said “People always talk about matching food Bec, “because now we’ve been able to move with wine, but I love this idea that you can The Launceston Women’s Shelter’s Jennifer Bec Jones, of Tamar Ridge said that our wine tasting to seated and actually en- sort of pick up on the atmosphere and the Bertram said the funding will mean the COVID-19 had definitely impacted their gage with people a little bit more intimately, crowd that are in there and read their reac- construction of additional units. business. rather than have 20 people around the bar tions with the music that you play and then that get a dribble of this and a dribble of try and build up the atmosphere around it.” “It will allow us to increase emergency “We used to be open 7 days, from 10-5, we that, we are able to actually give people accommodation and provide women and are now open 5 days, Wednesday to Sunday, really intimate wine experiences and chat to “It’s a really good combination, I’ve been children somewhere safe to escape vio- and we’re open from 11-4.” them one on one.” doing it for 7 years and its just a lovely fun lence,” she said. thing to do.” “We’re about to increase that back up to Tamar Ridge is hosting a range of events, “The grant is additional to the Tasmanian 10-5 because we’ve got the trade coming including vinyl in the vines, and live music. “I really like soulful funky music, I find that Government’s $4 million as a priority under back with the borders reopening.” “Our big week starts on boxing day, and it goes really well with Tasmanian wine.” Action 7 of the Affordable Housing Action goes through to the 3rd of January.” Said P l an .” “On a normal Friday, we’d have proba- Bec Jones. For further information or to make a bly anywhere between 50 to 100 people Nationally, about 700 new safe places will be booking, visit tamarridge.com.au through, and now we have between 15-20 “It should be an awesome two weeks!” built under the Morrison Government’s $60 million Safe Places initiative for new and expanded emergency accommodation. Aurora Energy committed to improving customer outcomes Aurora Energy has released its 2020 Energy and enhancing its regular winter campaign business is committed to the success of this Under the program 40 projects will be fund- Charter Disclosure, reinforcing their focus to remind customers of the need to keep on important initiative aimed at addressing ed, supporting 6000 women and children on supporting Tasmanians in response to top of their increasing energy costs. customer expectations,” Mrs Kardos said. each year. the COVID-19 pandemic and those experi- CEO Rebecca Kardos said the energy retail- For more information on the Safe Plac- encing vulnerability or affordability issues. er was committed to helping deliver a more Aurora Energy is one of 19 energy compa- affordable, reliable and sustainable energy es Emergency Accomodation Grants, nies from across the supply chain, and the visit communitygrants.gov.au/grants/ This included launching a series of new system. only Tasmanian organisation at this point in affordability tools on its website, extending safe-places-emergency-accommoda- time, to have voluntarily committed to the tion aurora+ to Residential Flat Rate customers “We have been a strong supporter of the Energy Charter. to provide greater control and convenience, Energy Charter since its inception. Our BRIDGET ARCHER MP FEDERAL MEMBER FOR BASS Representing our community 6334 7033 [email protected] bridgetarcher.com.au BridgetArcherMP Authorised by B. Archer, Liberal Party of Australia, 100 St John St, Launceston TAS 7250. 4 www.TamarValleyNews.com.au New facilities for Tamar Yacht Club Left-to-Right: Greg Hall, Commodore of Tamar Yacht Club, Michael Breen, Committee member & Ken Gourlay standing in front of the new boat shed The Tamar Yacht Club has a proud history club is still an important part of the com- event that they were able to finance the new The Tamar Yacht club has approximately of sailing in the Tamar since 1837, being munity, being the organiser of the ‘Outdoor facilities.