#Hobart City Council

[limeade-l3sbian]

"The City of Hobart has flagged its intention to apologise to councillor Louise Elliot after finding council staff had breached anti-discrimination laws by lying to her about the availability of a venue on the basis of her political views.

Cr Elliot, who has called for the exclusion of transgender women from female sports and some spaces, attempted to book the Town Hall ballroom for an event last November."

[coochiequeens]

Stating biological facts is not hate

By Genevieve Gluck. December 8, 2023

A Hobart City Council member is under investigation by the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner for “inciting hatred” after declaring “trans women are men.” Louise Elliot is now facing a costly formal inquiry by the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal in a case which has the potential to restrict freedom of speech. If the tribunal rules against Elliot, she may be ordered to publicly apologize and pay a fine of up to $4,000.

In March, Elliot attended a Let Women Speak demonstration organized by Standing for Women and led by British women’s rights campaigner Kellie Jay-Keen. The event was intended to provide women with a platform to express their concerns or criticisms of gender ideology.

As part of a prepared speech she gave during the event, Elliot stated that it was impossible to change sex, that “trans women are trans women and remain biological men.”

During her speech, Elliot also highlighted how gender ideology poses safeguarding risks, noting how such policies impact women and girls.

“While the majority of men are decent, kind and caring people, men present an inherent danger to women. The vast majority of sex offenders and violence perpetrators are men. It is completely understandable that women would want spaces for females only, especially vulnerable spaces like changerooms, toilets, and showers. It is absolute insanity that we have a law that allows a man to at 10am declare he’s a woman and by 11am be sharing changerooms and showers with young girls.”

On May 5, Elliot received a letter from the Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Commissioner (ADC) informing her that they had received a complaint about her statements and had opened an investigation into her activities for “inciting hatred” under the Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Act.

The complainant, who cannot be named during the ongoing investigation, also took issue with a statement made by Elliot in the context of male violence and the defense of women-only spaces, wherein she stated, “You cannot be raped with a penis if there is no penis present.”

In November, Tasmanian ADC Sarah Bolt ruled that Elliot’s case would proceed to a tribunal inquiry. In response, Elliot has been vocal about her situation on X (formerly Twitter), and has promised to appeal her case to the High Court should she be found guilty of inciting hatred.

“If it is found that I have incited hatred with these accurate, factual, accurate, and true statements, then I won’t be standing for that. And I know that the majority of Australians don’t believe the truth can be hate. So we will absolutely be taking it all the way to the High Court, because this is a massive overreach on our implied right to freedom of belief, freedom of expression, political communication, and we need to defend that,” Elliot told Ben Fordham Live.

Elliot also noted that the legal attack against her is being funded by taxpayers. “The threshold for inciting hatred needs to be really high. It can’t be just because someone is offended. What really gets me is that it’s our taxpayer money that is funding this attack on freedom of speech.”

However, Elliot is expected to pay her legal fees out of her own pocket, and is crowdfunding to cover costs. In the event of a ruling against her and an appeal to the High Court, Elliot has said she estimates the process to cost $100,000.

In addition to the litigation, Elliot says she’s also been experiencing harassment from her colleagues for criticizing gender identity ideology. In a video she shared to X in October, Elliot described how she had been singled out for her views.

“Over the past several months, I’ve been copping some pretty heavy bullying by some of the Hobart City Councllors, and collectively as a council. You hear the Hobart City Council talking a lot about inclusion, diversity, and being welcoming and kind… But inclusion is welcomed if you agree with their thinking. If you don’t agree, then you are heavily excluded and targeted and bullied,” she said.

Elliot went on to explain that she does not believe that humans can change sex, and that women and girls are entitled to single-sex spaces and sports.

During one meeting, the Deputy Lord Mayor Councilor Helen Burnet put forward a motion that the council write to three different organizations to complain about Elliot. The councilors wrote to the Integrity Commission, the Anti-Discrimination Commission, and local government officials to request action be taken against Elliot over a series of posts she made on X.

“We had a training session from a local organization, and I questioned some of the details that were in their fact sheet. Some of the details I found quite concerning, for example, statements that, ‘Trans women are not dominating women’s sport.’ I disagreed with that and tweeted some pictures of trans women playing in women’s soccer, and it’s happening globally,” Elliot said.

“In the fact sheet we had, they also tried to say that because black women are women, trans women are women. And I found that really quite a disturbing statement, quite racist and far from the truth.”

The fact sheet presented during the diversity training session, run in September by Working It Out Tasmania, also argued that trans-identified males do not pose a risk in female-only spaces.

“There is very little evidence of women’s spaces being secretly infiltrated by people with criminal motives, eg, sexual assault. Nearly every story that has emerged in the media or research regarding this has been disproven or discredited,” the document stated.

Elliot further revealed that she had been sent a letter by Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Helen Burnet chastising her for her views.

“You have consistently spoken out against transgender people and have on the public record refuted that transgender women are women,” the letter read. At Burnet’s request the city council asked the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner to consider that Elliot had, in their view, breached the Anti-Discrimination Act of 1998, which was amended in 2019 to include the subjective category of gender identity, but does not presently provide legal protections on the basis of biological sex.

Elliot has said she has received a flood of supportive messages from constituents. In September, a small demonstration was held outside of Hobart City Council Town Hall, wherein protesters called on the Deputy Mayor to “call off the witch hunt” against Elliot.

[qnewsau]

From the Archives. Barnaby Joyce on marriage & Asian perception

New Post has been published on https://qnews.com.au/barnaby-joyce-on-marriage-equality-asia-will-see-us-as-decadent/

From the Archives. Barnaby Joyce on marriage & Asian perception

The Deputy Leader of the Nationals Barnaby Joyce on marriage in 2015: Asia will see Australia as ‘decadent’ if the country legalises same-sex marriage.

QNews updates a 2015 story about Barnaby Joyce and marriage following his recent wedding to the former staffer he impregnated while married to someone else.

First published July 5, 2015 by Staff Writers.

Update by Destiny Rogers December 26, 2023.

This didn’t age well for the rabble-rousing attention seeker. Barnaby Joyce first entered parliament as a Queensland senator tagged Barnaby Rubble by political opponents. He moved to the lower house in 2013 as member for the NSW seat of New England. 

Elected Nationals leader in 2016, Joyce became Deputy Prime Minister of Australia. 😳

Marriage Equality

Following the nonsensical comments reported in this article, Joyce continued to campaign in defense of ‘traditional marriage’.

But within months of Australia voting overwhelmingly for same-sex marriage, the Australian media finally published a story already well-known to the Twitterverse.

Joyce had left his wife and was living with a former media advisor almost 20 years his junior — WHO WAS PREGNANT TO HIM!

How’s that for traditional marriage? 

After resigning as Nationals leader during the consequent controversy, Joyce returned to the position in 2021 but lost a leadership spill following the coalition’s 2022 election loss.

The original 2015 article

Barnaby Joyce has joined the anti-same-sex marriage chorus, warning of consequences with Asian trading partners.

“I think that what we have to understand is that when we go there (Asia), there are judgments, whether you like it or not, that are made about us and they see in how we negotiate with them whether they see us as – whether they see us as decadent.”

Joyce says Australia should not necessarily take its cues or cultural values from its near neighbours. However, his comments echo fellow cabinet minister Eric Abetz’ warning last week that Australia should not legalise gay marriage because no Asian country has done so.

You Can’t Always Get What You Want.

Joyce told ABC’s Insiders that he doesn’t believe we should be redefining marriage.

“Marriage for me is in the traditional form.

“In life, everybody doesn’t get everything they want.”

Marriage should be “inherently there for the support of children or given the prospect of children or the opportunity of children.

“I think that every kid has a right, absolute right to know her or his mother and father and also has – should be given the greatest opportunity to know their biological mother and father.

“I don’t think if you go and pass a piece of legislation and say a diamond is a square, (that) makes diamonds squares, they’re two different things.”

Australian Marriage Equality national director Rodney Croome told Fairfax Media that “to say children are better off brought up by a mum and dad reinforces prejudice against the children raised by same-sex couples and is just plain wrong”.

Horse has bolted

Rodney Croome said the horse has bolted on gay parenting in Australia.

“Aout 20 percent of Australia’s 50,000 same-sex couples are raising children.”

Meanwhile, Abetz defended penning a rebuke to Hobart City Council for expressing support for same-sex marriage.

The senator said the council’s resolution “undermines the important social institution of marriage.” He said it had nothing to do with the priorities of ratepayers.

Senator Abetz earlier suggested frontbenchers who supported change should resign. He said allowing same-sex marriage would open a Pandora’s box. It could potentially lead to polyamory (the practice of engaging in multiple sexual relationships with the consent of all people involved).

Coalition divisions erupted over same-sex marriage last week. A marriage equality bill moved by Liberal Warren Entsch, seconded by Labor’s Terri Butler and backed by a multi-party grouping, will be introduced when Parliament resumes in August

Abbott a roadblock

Senator Penny Wong slammed Abetz’s comments, labeling them “illogical and outright offensive”.

She also accused Prime Minister Tony Abbott of being an extraordinary roadblock on the issue.

“He keeps finding excuses not to talk about it,” she said. “It’s time for him to get out of the way.”

Abbott has played down the prospect of a vote on Mr Entsch’s bill. He warned it was unusual for a private member’s bill to get that far.

It has prompted speculation he will use parliamentary processes to shut debate down.

More about the man Twitter Wits tagged The Beetrooter :

WATCH: John Oliver Roasts ‘Hypocritical’ Joyce Over Affair Scandal.

Was Joyce just tip of traditional marriage hypocrisy iceberg? (Spoiler – YEP!)

Barnaby In Art: Kulcha with a capital K.

Image: @DirtyCreature__ Twitter

The fall and fall of Anti-Marriage Equality Pollies.

For the latest LGBTIQA+ Sister Girl and Brother Boy news, entertainment, community stories in Australia, visit qnews.com.au. Check out our latest magazines or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

[hobartbathroomrenos]

Battery Point

About Battery Point

Tucked away just south of Hobart’s bustling CBD lies Battery Point, a suburb steeped in rich history and overflowing with charm. As you climb up Kelly’s steps, a colonial-era pathway, you’ll find yourself wandering into a quaint world filled with stories of days gone by. The sandstone and weatherboard cottages that line the streets seem to have their personalities, exuding eccentric charm and character. And thanks to the suburb’s tight-knit layout, these homes sit nestled into the tiny lanes and alleyways, creating an atmosphere that feels both cosy and intriguing. Come take a stroll through Battery Point and discover all the stories and secrets it has to offer.

Nestled beside the River Derwent in Tasmania, Battery Point is a picturesque suburb with a rich history. Built-in 1804 as a maritime village, Battery Point gained its name due to the gun battery that stood there from 1818 onwards. This battery was designed to protect the town from any potential nautical threats, and its guns were fired to mark important events. However, in 1878 a review found that the battery’s location posed a danger to the surrounding residential areas. It was subsequently decommissioned and turned over to Hobart City Council as a place of recreation and amusement. Today, visitors can explore the area’s unique architecture, absorbing its rich history while enjoying the beauty of the parks and gardens.

What to do at Battery Point

Once a humble village known for its affordability, Battery Point has transformed into a sought-after address in Hobart’s real estate market. The picturesque suburb now welcomes visitors and locals alike, who are drawn to the area’s blend of old-world charm and contemporary style. Visitors can choose to experience Battery Point’s rich history by staying in one of the area’s many renovated cottages-turned-guest-houses, each offering a unique immersion into the quaint neighbourhood. With its proximity to popular tourist destinations like Salamanca and the Hobart waterfront, Battery Point is a neighbourhood with something for everyone.

Hampden Road is the heart of Battery Point, and it’s easy to see why. This main strip is home to some of Hobart’s best cafes, shops, and bakeries, all with a rustic charm that is hard to resist. The artisan bakery is a particular standout, with its rustic brickwork, timber flooring, and open glass front, creating a welcoming atmosphere that draws you in. But it’s not only traditional bakeries that are making waves in Battery Point, with a range of postmodern cafes now popping up among the historic buildings. From a quaint tea house that sources its ingredients straight from the garden to a kombi-inspired smoothie house that serves cold-pressed juice and smoothie bowls, there’s something for every taste. These new cafes might be a departure from the old-school meat and three vegs, but they still embody the charm and character that makes Battery Point so special.

One local company in Hobart that is involved with this tourist attraction site is:

Website: Hobart Bathroom Renovations Experts

Address: 199 New Town Rd, New Town TAS 7008

Phone: (03) 6152 6136

from Hobart Bathroom Renovations https://ift.tt/9E5PB6L via IFTTT

source https://hobartbathroomrenos.wordpress.com/2023/07/15/battery-point/

[hobartexcavations]

Earth Moving Services in Hobart

Hobart has a thriving classical, jazz, folk, punk and rock music scene. Internationally recognised musicians including metal bands Striborg and Psycroptic, singer-songwriter Monique Brumby and TikTok artist Kim Dracula all hail from the city.

The city’s home port for Australia and France’s Antarctic programs and a popular tourist destination provides significant economic opportunities. It also has a strong specialist cluster offering cold climate products and services.

Getting Started

The preparation and actual process of moving to a new location is a stressful time. Fortunately, there are several ways to make the move easier. One option is to hire a professional moving company. This will help reduce stress and save you money. This is especially true if you are relocating to a city that is far away.

Proper excavation hobart requires specialised machinery. A professional team will have a fully licenced and experienced operator with each piece of equipment. This ensures that work is done efficiently and accurately.

GADTECH Pty Ltd is a family owned Tasmanian earthmoving, excavation and civil construction business operating to a standard that can only be delivered by three generations of experience. The company has been built on values of hard work and a fair go.

Safety First

The City of Hobart is a well-known safe place to live. The City Council prides itself on taking a proactive approach to technology, and they take the safety of their residents very seriously. They recently upgraded their entire network of cameras to the Milestone XProtect solution, which gives them full control of the system.

In 2000, Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) acquires Premark International, bringing the Hobart and Traulsen brands together under the ITW Food Equipment Group umbrella of companies. The merger creates the largest sales and support organization in the industry, with a complete line of Hobart warewashing, cooking, and weighing and wrapping equipment combined with Traulsen refrigeration.

The company becomes the first to incorporate antimicrobial product protection into a commercial kitchen appliance with its agreement with Microban Products Company. The Microban coating is built into the 2000 Series Slicer and continually inhibits bacteria, mold, mildew, and fungus. The company also introduces the Model 1870 Scale and the HiLite Labeler to help retailers merchandise their products.

We’re Licensed

Hobart has a strong classical, jazz, folk, rock, punk and hip-hop music scene. It is the birthplace of internationally known musicians including metal acts Striborg and Psycroptic, post-punk band Sea Scouts, singer-songwriter Sacha Lucashenko (of The Morning After Girls), indie electro band Love of Diagrams and TikTok artist Kim Dracula.

Any demolition work that involves digging and earth works on site must be carried out by a licensed excavating contractor. This is usually done during construction of a new house, where the earth needs to be levelled in preparation for pouring concrete foundations. This can be done by using a wide range of earth moving equipment.

Get Started Today

When building construction is underway, earth moving services can be required to prepare a site. This often includes excavation to get a level pad ready for the house foundations. This is a critical step in the construction process and requires expert supervision.

Professional earthmoving contractors can be hard to find, but when you do, they can provide a range of services from precise site cutting to basement excavations. They will supervise your project with grit and precision to ensure that all aspects of your construction run smoothly, without a hitch. This is why it’s so important to choose a licensed, experienced earthmoving company.

source https://hobartexcavations.wordpress.com/2023/06/11/earth-moving-services-in-hobart/

[hobartupdates]

Hobart City Council to vote on expanded conflict of interest registry

A new policy to proactively declare councillors' potential conflicts of interests before they arise is set to be voted on at a Hobart City Council meeting this evening.

If passed, it will bring the council in line with other capital city councils around Australia.

Under the new policy, how many properties councillors own, which companies they hold shares in, and major income sources could all become publicly available from April.

What would have to be disclosed? Under the Local Government Act, there is already a requirement for councillors to declare a potential conflict or pecuniary interest in matters before they come up in council meetings, as well as a requirement to declare any gifts received.

Read More: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-20/hobart-city-council-votes-on-conflict-of-interest-registry/102118128

[honeychildoz]

🌊“Melva was a much-admired, feisty woman who loved Tasmania’s wild places and campaigned to protect them throughout her long life. She encouraged and supported young people to get involved and to get out and enjoy Nature especially the south west wilderness,” said the Convenor of the Lake Pedder Restoration Committee, Christine Milne.🌊 The Incomparable Melva Truchanas is a true Woman of the Waves. She had Moxie, wit, and was a pleasure to share time with. Her birthday party was my first catered event here in Tasmania. 💝 @roamingtrees is a true devotee of Strong Women. When curating our last LalinRòka show for the year, Tamas insisted our show's theme must be about courageous women that broke convention and lived boldly as they pleased. Another WoW one of our Mentors and support systems, Lucie suggested this lovely venue to close this series.🏞️ Tamas 🦊 says..."Women who went against the conventions, females who sought out to do life differently by force, by luck or by their own choice. Heroines of wisdom, courage, healing and determination.This show will be produced with the support of the Wooden boat ⛵ Guild of Tasmania, Battery Point Community Hall and Hobart City 🏙️ Council. Prepare yourself for a picnic 🧺event, bring your blanket or if you like, just enjoy the grass, wander and daydream⛅ while watching the clouds or the sea, listening to the stories and music and feeling the taste of Honey Child's Creole fantasy picnic. This is not a children's show, however everyone is welcomed who can sit and listen to a 70-90 minute show without disturbing the other audience members. If you ask us, we would suggest 8-12 years old and older..." Tickets 👇🏽👇🏽 https://events.humanitix.com/women-of-the-waves/tickets #lalinroka #roamingtreesstorytelling #honeychildscreolecatering #batterypoiny #hobart #womenofthewaves #goddess #divinefeminine #livemusic #creolefood #storytelling https://www.instagram.com/p/Clqajz0Loou/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[indizombie]

In 1988, he set up at Hobart's Salamanca markets with a petition calling on the Tasmanian government to change its laws. "We put a card on a table and asked for people to sign it. We didn't think that was particularly radical, but the Hobart City Council did, it banned the stall." Mr Croome was one of 130 people who were arrested over seven successive Saturday mornings. The campaign to repeal the laws eventually led all the way to Australia's High Court and the United Nations. Mr Croome said he was overwhelmed with "joy and relief" when the change finally came into effect. "Support for decriminalisation was 15 per cent below the national average, [and when] the law changed on the first of May 1997, it was 15 per cent above the national average. It wasn't just a law that changed; it was also hearts and minds."

Mahalia Carter, ‘Tasmania marks 25 years since decriminalisation of homosexuality’, ABC

[mybeingthere]

Beautiful ceramic vases by an aboriginal artist Derek Jungarrayi Thompson (AUSTRALIAN, PITJANTJATJARA, B. 1976). Stoneware with sgraffito.

Derek Thompson is the grandson of Papunya Tula Artist, Makinti Napanangka. He first came to work at Ernabella Arts over April 2011, during the first men-only ceramic workshop. Everyone was surprised by Derek's drawing on clay and he explained that he draws 'all the time, at home.' Derek is also an avid hunter. The translation of his drawings of the Pukatja landscape and animal life onto ceramics is quite unique and has received instant interest from collectors and curators. In 2012 Derek was selected to be a finalist in the Gold Coast International Ceramic art Award. He also undertook a residency at the Ceramic Workshop of the Australian National University, where he did poetry and printmaking. in 2013 Thompson's work 'Ngintaka Kutjara' was highly commended in the Muswellbrook Art Prize and acquired by Muswellbrook Regional Gallery. Since then his collaborative works with Ngunytjima Carroll have been selected for the NATSIAAs (National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards), the Sunshine Coast Art Prize and the City of Hobart Art Prize. Ngunytjima throws tall pots which Derek draws on, using the sgrafitto technique. Thompson and Tjimpuna Williams were awarded a New Work grant by the Australia Council for the Arts and in May 2013 undertook a big pot workshop in Jingdezhen, China.

  https://www.shortstgallery.com.au/.../314.../biography/

[beautifulbizarremagazine]

Congratulations to Kim Anderson on receiving an Honourable Mention in the 2022 Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize, for her work “Engulfed” [Ink, charcoal and pastel on paper, 105x75 cm]. Awarded by Beautiful Bizarre Magazine's Editor-in-Chief Danijela Krha Purssey.

“After completing a Bachelor of Fine Art (Honours) in Australia, I was awarded a scholarship to study a Master of Fine Art at the University of Dundee in Scotland. I have since undertaken many residencies, including an Australia Council Residency at the British School at Rome, at Echigo-Tsumari in Japan, and DRAWinternational in France. Most recently, in 2019 I was the Jon Schueler Fellowship Artist-in-Residence at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig on the Isle of Skye, Scotland. I have received significant grants from the Australia Council, the Ian Potter Cultural Trust and the City of Melbourne, exhibited in solo and group exhibitions around Australia and abroad, and been a finalist in numerous national awards, including the National Works on Paper, the Jacaranda Acquisitive Drawing Award, and the Adelaide Perry Drawing Prize. I am currently represented by Flinders Lane Gallery in Melbourne, and Penny Contemporary in Hobart.”

Get all the information about this year's Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize Winners on https://buff.ly/2J5O3c5 [link in our profile]

—

#beautifulbizarre #beautifulbizarreartprize #artprize #drawing

[infrastructure-weeks]

Tram-trains: Trams that also use regular train tracks

A number of trams not only serve as urban public transit, but also connect different cities and towns with each other, using regular railways that are often not or only infrequently used by regular trains. These trams are usually called tram-trains, and are a kind of interurban or tram connecting separate towns.

Tram-trains are mostly powered exclusively by electricity, however some models, e.g. in Kassel in Germany are hybrid trams that also have a diesel engine onboard.

The connection of railway lines between towns and urban tram networks isn’t a new concept, having predecessors for example in the early 20th century interurban streetcar lines of America or in a local railway line partially running on streets through residential neighborhoods in Vienna, Austria. In Hobart in the Australian state of Tasmania a connection between trams and trains was also proposed in 1924.

However, the modern tram-train concept originates in the German town of Karlsruhe. In the late 1950s, the Albtalbahn, a railway operated by a private company, was bought by the City of Karlsruhe to modify the trains and tracks to be able to connect them to the tram network, as the national railway company of Germany had refused to integrate the Albtalbahn into its rail network. Decades of gradual modifications and extensions that included the first shorter tracksharing between tram and heavy rail and a merger between local and regional public transit companies followed and the first proper tram-train line with seamless transition between a tram and a longer (18 km or 11.2 miles) heavy rail line was opened in 1992.

According to a 1992 passenger census, the conversion of the previously exclusively heavy rail line to a tram-train line caused ridership to increase by 400 %, and has further increased in later years, also seeing additional extensions, now having a total network length of 470 km (292 miles), with the tram tracks owned by the local transit authority and the heavy rail track owned by the national railway company of Germany.

The success of this “Karlsruhe Model” with its convenience and punctuality has led to several copies in Germany (e.g. Aachen) and other parts of Europe (e.g. Mulhouse, France), however, other models have emerged, too, with some converting former heavy rail into tram tracks, or the one in Zwickau running a lightweight heavy rail train now like a tram on the city streets, reversing the original idea.

Many projects have also run into difficulties, such as cost, technical difficulties or smaller usefulness in comparison to alternatives, or are unlike the system in Karlsruhe not actually connecting the tram-train line with the lines in the city center.

More information:

–Interurbans and other predecessors –

Oliver Jensen: American Heritage History of Railroads in America (1993)

William D. Middleton: The Interurban Era (1961)

Hans Sternhart, Hans Pötschner: 100 Jahre Badner Bahn. Die Geschichte der Badner Straßenbahn under der Lokalbahn Wien-Baden (1973, in German)

Official website of the tram-train in Vienna (Badner Bahn)

–Modern tram-trains–

Marc Perez: Karlsruher Model. Genesis

Dr. Rob van der Bijl, Dipl.-ing. Axel Kuehn: Tramtrain: The 2nd Generation. New Criteria for the 'Ideal Tramtrain City'

Robert Schwandl: Kassel Tram on UrbanRail.Net

RegioTram Gesellschaft Kassel: Unsere Fahrzeuge (in German)

Trams and Trains. Suggested Joint Services. Electrification of Railways. Matter Before City Council in The Mercury (Hobart, Australia) Feb 12 1924

Image sources:

Topmost row, left, showing the Karlsruhe Tram-Train in Heilbronn: Klaus with K, CC BY SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Top most row, right, showing the Karlsruhe Tram-Train near the Eppingen West station: K. Jähne, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Second row from top, left, Kassel Tram-Train and regular tram in Kassel: Eastpath, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Second row from top, right, Kassel Tram-Train near Wolfhagen: Eastpath, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Third row from top, left: Zwickau “Train-Tram” in Zwickau: Spsmiler, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Third row from top, right: Zwickau “Train-Tram” near Zwotental: Steffen Mokosch, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Bottommost image, Vienna tram-train in Baden, Austria: Bahnsteig 1, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

[greatworldwar2]

• Australian Volunteer Air Observers Corps

The Volunteer Air Observers Corps (VAOC) was an Australian air defence organisation of World War Two. The VAOC was formed to support the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) with its roles of sighting and observing aircraft over Australia.

The total Australian coastline is some 60000 km long and littered with no less than 8222 minor islands making it very vulnerable to attack from every point of the compass. The surprise attack on the US Fleet at Pearl Harbour with the simultaneous and rapid advancement of the Japanese Imperial Army across the South Pacific in late 1941 was a shock to Australian citizens. The Federal Government appointed the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as responsible for developing an effective early warning system against attack. Prior to the War, the RAAF was small enough for all its elements to be directly controlled by Headquarters based in Melbourne with its main base at Point Cook. The Southern Area Command was one of several geographically based subdivisions raised during WW2.

Planning had commenced earlier but on Christmas Day 1941 the serving members of the Australian Air Board met to examine the current war situation. They sent a signal later that day instructing that the Volunteer Air Observers Corp (VAOC) was to be urgently organised with the objective of establishing Observation Posts (OP) manned by civilian volunteers. The VAOC were to maintain a 24-hour watch along the coast from Cairns in Queensland to Ceduna in South Australia and from Albany to Geraldton in Western Australia with rings of observations posts at a radius of 50 miles and 100 miles around Townsville, Brisbane, Newcastle, Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart, Adelaide and Perth. Observation Posts along the coast were also required to report shipping and submarine sightings as well as provide weather reports twice daily for the RAAF. There was every expectation that Australia would also be subject to air-raids of the intensity endured by Britain during the Blitz. By the time Darwin was bombed the VAOC was not yet operational, but by the time of the Japanese raids on Queensland targets like Cairns, Rockhampton and Townsville in 1942 thousands of VAOC volunteers were in place. These were in addition to Australian military Coastwatchers on small islands.

Australia had few fighters capable of intercepting the Japanese early in the war. In 1941 many Australians had never seen an aircraft or at least not close up. So the rapid establishment of a nationwide grid of Observation Posts involving thousands of civilian volunteers often in remote areas who needed to be enlisted and trained to recognise, identify and report and describe the activity of aircraft in flight was an outstanding achievement. The system was dependent on a dependable communications network, something that did not exist at the time. In 1941 the rudimentary telephone line operated by the Post Masters General (PMG) reached into population areas like major cities but not the outback or many areas of remote coast. The very first Operational Post opened at Bairnsdale in Victoria on December 26th, 1941, one day after the decision of the Air Board to operate a volunteer corp. Bairnsdale was already a busy RAAF operational training airfield at the time.

In Australian airspace by late 1943 there were thousands of aircraft movement every day with the combined USAAF and RAAF flights as well as civilian and commercial flights. All of this was tracked and plotted manually with the assistance of the VAOC in the field recording the numbers and aircraft type, speed, elevation and their direction. Flights could last several hours and transit two or more States and were tracked across borders. The air observers were unable to make direct contact with aircraft by radio but sometimes signalled using lights and lanterns.

Sufficient information was released to the media to encourage community members to attend meetings to hear of the VAOC. It was made clear that even though they were volunteers the commitment was for the duration of the War. Much of the work fell to Squadron Leader J. V. Gray who travelled extensively to not only establish the network but recruit and support the VAOC volunteers. The RAAF also approached universities and high schools to seek new recruits. Local councils played an important role in coordination with the townsfolk, identifying good Observation Post sites and often supplying facilities. Shortage of equipment such as binoculars was a perennial problem and owners were required to declare them to the Government under a National Security Order. Most of the cost of maintaining the Observation Posts fell to the volunteers. Significantly, the volunteers were mostly women from rural areas.

By May 1942 the VAOC was controlled by the Directorate of Pursuit, Fighter Sector Headquarters of Allied Command. There were four levels of the VAOC structure (2656 Observation Posts, 39 regional Zone Controls, 6 State Air Sectors based in each capitol city and the RAAF Air Defence HQ in Brisbane). The VAOC operated under the command of the RAAF as an auxiliary arm but unlike the Royal Observer Corp in Britain members of Australia's Volunteer Air Observer Corp were not required to wear a uniform. They only received a blue armband and later a small blue lapel pin for identification. In addition to permanent Observation Post (OP), there were a number of Reporting Posts (RP) on a station homestead or farm house where the occupant devoted as much time as they were able to the task of reporting aircraft movements. Each VAOC spotter had their own unique Code Name. Volunteers in Observation Posts reported aircraft movements to a Zone Control situated in a regional city or town. There were 39 Zone Controls centres across the Australia with differing numbers in each state depending on its size. Some Observation Posts were very busy, depending on their location. The one at Wamberal on the NSW coast near Gosford recorded 38,476 aircraft of 80 different types over a three-year period to February 1945.

Training required skills in aircraft identification, radio use, Morse code, map reading, weather reporting. All this had to be achieved rapidly for volunteers who in many cases have never seen a real aircraft before, at least not close up. The demand for scale models and silhouette identification cards for the increasing types of aircraft that flew the skies particularly after the USAAF arrived in great numbers could not keep up. State and national recognition competitions where prizes were awarded were popular to hone skills. Because of the nature of their work following the movements of allied aircraft VAOC members were often the first to know about forced landings and crashes.

Each 24-hour Observation Post ideally required about 100 observers to cover all the daily and night shifts. Records of volunteers were poorly kept and estimates range from 24000 to nearly 220000 people were involved at all levels by its peak in 1944. Volunteers worked across at all levels of the organisation from the 2656 Observation Posts, 39 Zone Controls through to six Air Sectors in the capital cities. After the end of the war, the VAOC was reduced to a cadre in December 1945 and was disbanded on April 10th, 1946. The true scope of the VAOC was never revealed to the Australian public and the organisation was hastily dismantled by the RAAF at the conclusion of the war. Of the thousands of VAOC Observation Posts there are only a few small memorials at Tallangatta, Lorne and Anglesea in Victoria, Wamberal near Gosford in NSW, Cleve in SA and Horn Island off Cape York in Queensland. The Volunteer Air Observers received a small blue lapel pin and a certificate of recognition and quietly went back to their lives leaving their amazing stories largely untold.

[hobartbathroomrenos]

Mawson’s Huts Replica Museum

About Mawson’s Huts Replica Museum

The Mawson’s Huts Replica Museum at Cape Denison stands as a tribute to the commitment and dedication of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition (AAE) of 1911-14. Its purpose is twofold, as it was built to generate funds for the continued conservation of the historic buildings at Cape Denison and as an educational facility to promote the enduring legacy of the AAE. Remarkably, the Museum is a meticulous replica of Mawson’s original base and serves as a testament to the courage and endurance of the men who braved the rough and frozen terrain of Antarctica. Visitors to the Museum can marvel at the sheer determination of the expedition members and learn about the harrowing sacrifices they made in the name of exploration. Its prime location on Hobart’s waterfront is a poignant reminder of the boundless potential of human endeavour and the unwavering desire to challenge the unknown.

The construction of the Replica Museum was a collaborative effort that relied on the generosity of many stakeholders. The Tasmanian Ports Authority provided a space for off-site construction, which was done in three sections to enable easy transportation to the final site. The Hobart City Council was pivotal in supporting the project by providing the land and securing the necessary funds. The Replica became a reality when the Federal Government contributed $350,000 in 2011, and many local businesses and individuals offered their time, goods, and goodwill to bring the project to fruition. With the Replica now standing as a testament to the generosity and community spirit of the people of Tasmania, visitors can appreciate the wonders of Tasmania’s maritime history.

What to do at Mawson’s Huts Replica Museum

Nestled on the outskirts of Hobart, Tasmania, the Mawson’s Huts Replica Museum is a world-class small museum that transports visitors back in time to the early 1900s. Here, they are given a unique opportunity to witness the daily lives of the Australian Antarctic Expedition (AAE) expeditioners who lived and worked in the treacherous conditions of Antarctica’s Cape Denison for two winters. The museum offers a remarkable exhibit of the authentic wooden huts that were built by Sir Douglas Mawson and his team of expeditioners as well as a range of artefacts that were discovered during the excavation of the site. From the intricate details of the expeditions living quarters to the tools they used daily, the Mawson’s Huts Replica Museum offers a glimpse into the true home of the blizzard and the courage of these brave explorers as they endured the harshest conditions on the planet.

The Mawson’s Huts Foundation is a remarkable organization dedicated to the preservation of historic huts located in the pristine wilderness of Cape Denison, Antarctica. The focus is ensuring that visitors can experience a fascinating glimpse into the “Heroic age” of Antarctic exploration and learn about the lives of the intrepid pioneers who called this remote and inhospitable region home. Staff and volunteers work tirelessly to maintain and showcase artefacts and exhibits that help to provide a vivid picture of what life was like for early explorers. Visitors can explore the museum at their own pace or arrange a private tour for a more immersive experience. Additionally, the on-site gift shop offers a selection of unique items, allowing visitors to take home a souvenir that embodies their experience. The Mawson’s Huts Foundation welcomes all visitors and is proud to share their passion for Antarctic conservation with the world.

One local company in Hobart that is involved in this tourist attraction site is:

Website: Hobart Bathroom Renovations Experts

Address: 199 New Town Rd, New Town TAS 7008

Phone: (03) 6152 6136

from Hobart Bathroom Renovations https://ift.tt/TNb3BQ7 via IFTTT

source https://hobartbathroomrenos.wordpress.com/2023/07/14/mawsons-huts-replica-museum/

[yespoetry]

Carlo Matos: A Boy Lost

A Boy Lost by the Whole of the World

The difference between unfulfilled objects is mourning     is leaving       is humiliating like bits of ribbon              broken clasps              brass lockets. The work of distance is also buried under lost addresses and phone numbers embarrassingly saying too much and, interestingly, too little, the first great carnage of human hands. Without being told very much, what shatters gathers him up again perhaps more than he should or ought to, drawing in kin             in kind             in kindling. In what familiar territory, what maze                   what island                  what comportment of phrase might a person ensconced in tradition be considered the whole story: a bad seed            a boyfriend [his first but not his last]? It appears the process was known to create a great deal of exasperation, which he displayed during a stunning departure from the room he had just been standing in, a boy lost by the whole of the world.

This poem originally appeared in our ebook The Queer Body.

Carlo Matos is a queer author who has published ten books, including The Quitters (Tortoise Books) and It's Best Not to Interrupt Her Experiments (Negative Capability Press). His poems, stories, essays, and reviews have appeared or are forthcoming in such journals as Iowa Review, Hobart, DMQ Review, Rhino, PANK, and Diagram, among many others. Carlo has received grants and fellowships from Disquiet (Portugal), CantoMundo, the Illinois Arts Council, the Sundress Academy for the Arts, and the La Romita School of Art (Italy). He is a founding member of the Portuguese-American writers collective Kale Soup for the Soul and a winner of the Heartland Poetry Prize. He currently lives in Chicago, is a professor at the City Colleges of Chicago, and is a former MMA fighter and kickboxer. He blogs at carlomatos.blogspot.com. Follow him on twitter @CarloMatos46.

[fountainpenguin]

We know Fairy World's rainbow bridge somehow connected/lead to Dimmsdale. So how about Anti-Fairy World's and Pixie World's rainbow bridge? Does the other two world's bridge connected to Earth?

Fairy World has two Bridges that connect to Earth: The Rainbow Bridge in Dimmsdale and the Pastel Bridge in Cairo, Egypt.

The Pixies have the Bit Bridge, which comes in several shades of purple and connects to Earth around Mushroom Rock, Kansas. In “School’s Out! The Musical,” H.P. and Sanderson had to drive home from Dimmsdale, heading east from California. They were heading towards that Bridge.

The Anti-Fairies once possessed the shiny black Night Bridge, which connected their second largest city (Shadeblink) to Hobart, Tasmania. It was destroyed early in the War of the Sunset Divide (the war that resulted in the separation of Fairy World and Anti-Fairy World).

The Shadow Bridge, which connected the Anti-Fairy capital Luna’s Landing to a mystical island near Ireland (Hy-Brasil), was shattered at the end of the war. Losing both Bridges effectively locked all but the highest ranking Anti-Fairies in Anti-Fairy World.

They’ve been trying to get their Bridges back, but they can’t win a majority vote in the meetings between the Fairy and Anti-Fairy Councils. It takes the magic of either the Fairy Elder or all seven Council Robes to build a Bridge, so until they’re in agreement, they’re not getting those Bridges back.

[leanpick]

Hobart council to remove divisive statue

Hobart council to remove divisive statue

Hobart City Council has voted to take down the statue of former premier William Crowther who stole the skull of an Aboriginal man in the 1860s.