Navneet Kaur, 21, has only been in Launceston for a little over a month: just in time for the Covid-19 … More
Author: francesvinall
Tasmania’s sci-fi future: Manufacturing in the middle of the ocean
Imagine this: somewhere in Tasmanian waters, out of view of the keenest eye onshore, is a centre of industry. … More
Record Tasmanian Media Awards haul for Vinall
The Examiner journalist Frances Vinall was announced as the winner of a record four Tasmanian Media Awards on Friday. Ms Vinall’s … More
Need for travel to Hobart for abortion ‘not ideal’
Accessing abortion services has become more difficult at a time when unplanned pregnancies are expected to increase, a Marie Stopes … More
Early childhood education centres still in doubt
Northern Children’s Network general manager Maggie Wilson said the sector was caught on the back foot by the Prime Minister’s … More
Isolation advice from Antarctic scientist
This isn’t the first time Lincoln Mainsbridge has faced a long stretch of isolation. The Bureau of Meteorology senior weather … More
Life at Mona when museum is ‘back to just being a house’
Since it closed to visitors this month, Mona is simply husband-and-wife David Walsh and Kirsha Kaechele’s house. Without the endless … More
Tasmanian skilled migrants facing job losses but no Centrelink
Skilled migrants who have lost their jobs due to the coronavirus will need the help of the community to get … More
Tasmanians who could die from Covid-19 need you to stay at home
Aaron Worker has no immune system. None. At all. The young father had a heart transplant almost exactly a year … More
Stories from the Centrelink line in Launceston
Last week Hamish Tranent had two jobs, both in retail. This week he has none. The 20-year-old Bachelor of Science … More
How shame and defiance made Tasmania’s personality
In May last year, place-branding expert Todd Babiak was appointed head of Brand Tasmania, newly made a statutory authority and … More
‘I was trying to take the piss’ says $50,000 Glover Prize winner
The winner of the $50,000 Glover Prize this year was “trying to take the piss” with his award-winning work of … More
Doctors absorbing cost of providing abortions
Exclusive: Doctors are taking a hit to their own hip pockets to provide surgical abortions to Tasmanian women.
OPINION: Solve climate change through electoral donation reform
Fossil fuel companies have bought Australian politicians.
‘Why I chose an abortion’: Tasmanian women share their stories
Tasmanian women undergo either surgical or medical abortions for all sorts of reasons, yet access in the state remains confusing … More
Abortion patients still going interstate as GPs obstruct access: Study
Exclusive: Patients are receiving incorrect information and judgement by GPs, a researcher says.
The Gloaming review: Deliciously creepy tale is satisfying storytelling
Fans of The Kettering Incident, we have good news: The Gloaming is even better. The limited-run show is a masterclass is sending ribbons … More
Launceston’s 2020 property market great for investors, bad for homeless
While all eyes have been on Hobart’s housing crisis in 2019, Launceston’s property market has been quietly growing at comparable … More
Self-sufficient ‘utopia’ built over 10 years destroyed by Fingal fire
Michael Warner, 53, planned to retire at Mangana, but now he has nothing.
Behind-the-scenes with gigantic puppet production King Ubu
See the article with photo gallery here. In true Mona Foma fashion, the festival is in the middle of pouring … More
Review: And that’s a wrap on Mona Foma 2020
“Hobart is over,” Brian Ritchie said on Monday, the concluding day of Mona Foma for 2020. More than 50,000 people … More
Review: Aboriginal-owned four-day wukalina walk
See the article with photo gallery here. The first time I went to see Clyde Mansell, the former chairman of … More
Secrets of success for skilled migrants happy in Launceston
In November, skilled migrants who had moved to Launceston shared the experiences of racism that caused them to leave. There … More
The Baptist pastor leading Launceston’s climate inaction fight
Some see contradictions between Christianity and fighting climate change. Perhaps the end of human civilisation through natural disasters is God’s … More
We can’t agree to good behaviour, XR protesters tell court
Eight out of nine Extinction Rebellion protesters told magistrates they could not agree to undertake 12 months of good behaviour. … More
Dorset mayor on future of Pioneer, former mining towns
Two Pioneer residents believe their town needs a strategy for its long-term future, separate to the ongoing issue of lead … More
Dorset Council votes in favour of treated water at Pioneer
The Dorset Council has unanimously voted in favour of treated water at Pioneer. After lead contamination in the town’s drinking … More
How The Gloaming’s Vicki Madden went from Brooks High to TV powerhouse
‘Showrunner’ is an industry term for a writer in control of a television production. Shonda Rhimes, behind Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal; Phoebe Waller-Bridge, … More
Pioneer will get treated water, pending approvals: TasWater
TasWater will supply treated water to Pioneer if it receives the unanimous support of the Dorset Council, and regulatory approval. … More
News of treated water at Pioneer ‘a glory moment’
Pioneer resident Lin Simpson was “ecstatic” to read in The Examiner on Friday that TasWater plans to deliver treated water to the … More
Shock canning of $50m Kings Wharf apartment towers
Plans for the $50 million Kings Wharf Towers are “dead”, with developer Errol Stewart withdrawing his rezoning application. The announcement … More
Tasmanian Aboriginal culture celebrated with 600 people in North-East
About 600 people travelled from across the country – and New Zealand – to be on country together at Musselroe … More
St Paul’s River drying up as East Coast drought continues
Sheep are the main source of income for Claudia, Lester and Trent Freeman, but since the river that runs by … More
Information on deliberately-lit Mathinna, Mangana bushfires sought
Two deliberately lit fires were brought under control by evening on Thursday, and TFS Regional Chief North Ian Bounds is … More
Pioneer resident slams Health Department over lack of lead testing
The Department of Health and Human Services should have tested Pioneer residents’ blood for lead, resident and advocate for the … More
Residents still at risk at Pioneer: Michelle O’Byrne
Bass Labor MHA Michelle O’Byrne said the state government told a Pioneer resident it had no control over the town’s … More
A councillor, a grandma: meet Launceston’s rideshare drivers
Since June 2018, two rideshare apps have started operations in Launceston. Their peer-to-peer model – the same one as AirBnb … More
Little support for Pioneer from Health Department: MLC
Independent McIntyre MLC Tania Rattray said there had been little support for the town of Pioneer and its lead contamination … More
Call for inquiry into lead-contaminated drinking water at Pioneer
A resident of the North-East town of Pioneer is fighting off a debt collector from TasWater while battling health issues, … More
‘Go back to your country’: Why skilled migrants leave Launceston
In February 2017, Samiul Ahsan came to Launceston for the first time. A brown-skinned Bangladeshi man in his late twenties, … More
OPINION:Climate change deniers are not crazy idiots
Whenever an article about climate change is posted online, you can count on an immediate deluge of climate change denialism … More
Out with the Salvos Street Team at 1am in Launceston
At 11.30pm on a Saturday night, three yellow-jacketed women are marching steadily down a lamp-lit CBD street. The yellow jackets … More
The 64-year-old Exeter man hiking 12,700 kilometres
It is incredibly difficult to think about nothing but your most basic needs. Try it, now. Go on. Stop thinking … More
Revolting teenagers: One school striker’s future under climate change
When Gabrielle Dewsbury, 17, finishes school, she thinks she’d like to be a doctor. She isn’t 100 per cent sure … More
The nine nuns cut off from the world in West Launceston
At an unassuming, modern church at 7 Cambridge Street, West Launceston, nine nuns live in complete separation from the rest … More
Christine Milne on women, politics, power and purpose
On June 22 last year, Greens senator Larissa Waters moved a motion on black lung disease while breastfeeding her weeks-old … More
After Poland was left to Stalin, its soldiers built our Hydro scheme
On May 8, 1945, after six years of unimaginable horror, the world released its breath as Nazi Germany unconditionally surrendered … More
Australian-owned ride-share app launches in Northern Tasmania
START-UP: Hi Oscar co-founders Jeremy Webb and Dan Broughton. Picture: Supplied An Australian-owned ride-share app has launched in Launceston. Hi … More
Artist to play ‘Wicked Game’ to near-extinct orchid species
In a graveyard in a Northern Midlands town, there lives a species of native orchid that exists nowhere else in … More
Meet the man behind the memes: Russell Redmond is the creator of the Launceston Memes Facebook page
BOAG’S WARRIOR: Redmond with a suit of armour he made out of Boag’s Red tins. Devotion to the beer is … More
Dark Mofo ideas curator on religion, angry white men and what’s wrong with the left
DARK AND DANGEROUS: Ideas festival curator Laura Kroetsch. Picture: Supplied Dark Mofo launches on Thursday with its gathering of the … More
Guide to Dark Mofo 2019
Ogoh-Ogoh at Dark Mofo 2018. Picture: Dark Mofo Australia’s coolest and coldest festival kicks off on Thursday and runs until … More
Sleep pod solution to combat homelessness
A Launceston woman thinks she has found an innovative solution to the housing crisis: sleeping pods. Kirsten Ritchie, founder of Strike … More
North-East Rail Trail: The issue, the anger, and what comes next
Read the full story with interactive elements on The Examiner website A Legislative Council Inquiry into the future of the … More
Family raising three children in tents at Mt Pleasant
A Launceston couple has been raising three children in tents after being evicted from a public housing property. Leah and … More
Caring public thanked after Mt Pleasant homeless family receives donations, car
A couple raising three children in tents at Mt Pleasant said they were overwhelmed with gratitude for the caring community. … More
Hobart ‘worst three days of my life’: Comedian Aaron Chen
Aaron Chen is one of five comedians in the Melbourne International Comedy Roadshow, along with Georgie Carroll, Blake Freeman, Ben Knight, … More
More than 3000 people on public housing waitlist
At last count, the number of people waiting for public housing was the highest it had been for a year. … More
Public housing dwellings sold as construction spruiked
Last financial year, 292 new social housing dwellings constructed by the state government were made available to disadvantaged Tasmanians. However, … More
Farmers fight for potato pay as Simplot records $62m profit
Tasmanian potato growers say Simplot is not paying them enough for their vegetables, as they negotiate a new contract with … More
Branxholm property prices up 60pc
Derby house prices have shot up since the development of its trails, and its quick acceleration from sleepy small town … More
PM non-committal on housing debt during Tassie visit
Prime Minister Scott Morrison was tight-lipped on whether the government would wipe Tasmania’s housing debt in a visit to the North and … More
Call for independent investigation into Laughs of Launnie grant
Deputy Labor leader Michelle O’Byrne has called for an independent investigation into an $120,000 grant given to the Laughs of … More
Woman allergic to sun walks from Launceston to Hobart
PART ONE Photosensitivity is a rare condition that, if you haven’t heard of it, sounds like something out of science … More
Get rid of fixed leases for renters: Union
Get rid of fixed-term leases, freeze rent costs, and let renters have pets. That’s how the Tenants’ Union of Tasmania … More
How to solve Tasmania’s housing crisis
Tasmania is the most unaffordable state, relative to income, to rent or buy a house. With the Select Committee on … More
Anger over landslide risk
A man who bought a property without knowing there was a risk of landslide at the site is calling for … More
Nurse fighting cancer and Centrelink
When Trish Goss uses the phrase “you’re not going to beat me”, she isn’t referring to her battle with cancer, … More
Fires, abuse, toileting in buckets as homeless take up lodging with strangers
Homeless Tasmanians have been taking up offers of shelter from strangers, or inappropriate friends and family, and this has created … More
Welfare-to-parliament: Tassie’s battler politicians
In the lobby of the Charles Mantra Hotel, senator Helen Polley’s media advisor returns from the front counter with two … More
Forced adoption: stolen babies, family secrets, unsolved mysteries
On March 30, 1975, Carol Maney woke up on a hospital gurney. She was hazy and confused, utterly disconnected from … More
Ravenswood shoppers share thoughts on lockdowns
Tasmania Police lockdowns of entire suburbs and towns in the north of the state have generated debate among justice and … More
The grassroots movement of men fighting to be able to be vulnerable
What does it mean to be a man? It’s become a fraught question in the #MeToo era. Stories of men’s … More
Meet the faces behind Launceston’s homelessness statistics
On any given night in Tasmania, about 1600 people experience homelessness. And that number is only increasing. As Shelter Tas … More
Police could have prevented Ravenswood house fire: Victim
A single mother believes a fire in her home could have been prevented if police had acted faster. Taylor Burnie, … More
Dorset celebrates after $40m Sideling road upgrade announcement
Dorset mayor Greg Howard is celebrating a $40 million election promise from Bass Liberal candidate Bridget Archer, which all but … More
Road keeping mainland buyers from Scottsdale: Real estate
The quality of the Sideling road is a major factor in stopping people from moving to Scottsdale and surrounding towns, … More
Push to upgrade Sideling as road misses out on federal funding
Dorset mayor Greg Howard says there is only one matter he’s been bringing up with the major parties pre-election: the … More
Launceston communities come together for Christchurch at vigil
Hundreds of people, standing in silence, hands clasped, with their heads bowed and their eyes closed, as candles flickered orange across … More
Askew the fourth Liberal woman to represent Tasmania federally in house or senate
Wendy Askew will be the fourth woman to represent the Tasmanian Liberal Party on a federal level, across both houses, … More
Local artists soak up Mona effect as festival wraps up
Much has been made of the international artists that Mona Foma has brought to Launceston. With hip-hop/RnB icon Neneh Cherry, … More
Former Premier: ‘Secrets and lies’ in Tasmanian adoption law
The story on The Examiner website, titled Forced adoption: stolen babies, family secrets, unsolved mysteries, has not been published in print … More
Snowfall on bushfire region is first ever snow for WA firefighters
Tasmania experienced the hottest, driest January on record – but only 12 days into February, snow has fallen. Snow flurries were … More
Extent of rainforest bushfire damage revealed by University of Tasmania
Analysis from the University of Tasmania’s Fire Centre has found only 3 per cent of the destruction from the 2019 … More
How the true-blue Workers Club became Launceston’s hippest party space
What is surely Launceston’s staunchest holdout of a bygone era has somehow become one of the city’s coolest venues. The … More
Blacksmith creates first instance of original Tasmanian steel
In Tasmania’s ancient, human-scarred landscape, the only constant is change. For blacksmith Pete Mattila, that change is a source of inspiration. … More
Miena woman who lived through ’67 fires compares to horror of ’19
One Miena woman who stayed behind to help this season’s firefighting efforts also lived through the 1967 Black Tuesday fires … More
On the ground in Miena, as town endures fourth week of bushfires
See the article and photo gallery here. In the blackened, Central Highlands town of Miena, everyday life has taken on … More
Volunteer turns 50 at firefront, daughter arranges cake
A volunteer firefighter has marked his 50th birthday battling the Great Pine Tier blaze in the Central Highlands. Andrew Nisbet – affectionately … More
Life’s a drag for Launceston queen, and junior doctor, Zac Van Tienen
On a weekend night, Zac Van Tienen can most likely be found at Flamingos Dance Bar, Hobart. But you probably wouldn’t … More
A guide to Mona Foma in Launceston
Originally published in the Sydney Morning Herald. This month, after a mini-launch last year in Tasmania’s second-biggest city, Mona Foma … More
Mill defends itself against allegations
The company behind the proposed Bell Bay veneer processing mill has defended itself against accusations of human rights abuses and … More
Q&A with Faux Mo co-curator Willoh S Weiland
Mona Foma’s late-night party, Faux Mo, will run into the early hours of January 18-19. With the tagline ‘small town, … More
Tasmanian wine industry’s sparkling future: 18m bottles by 2020
Tasmanian sparkling wine festival Effervescence has closed for its fifth year. Twenty-four events around the state over the course of a … More
Analysing the state’s surgical abortion situation after 11-month delay
After 11 months delay, Tasmanian women are set to be able to access a surgical abortion service. Hampton Park Womens Health … More
Robbie Arnott on his debut novel Flames, a Tasmanian fantasy adventure
To outsiders, Tasmania can already seem like a fantastical place. Alien landscapes sprout all over the central highlands, with cushion … More
Sawtooth ARI’s new director wants a more inclusive gallery
Sawtooth ARI’s new director wants to break down the barriers between the art community and the general public. Liam James, … More
Policeman’s survival skills helped him land plane: Commander
Tasmania Police Inspector Darren Hopkins’ injuries from a light plane crash could have been a lot worse were it not for … More
How refugees are filling staffing shortage in care sector
There were tears in her eyes as Nancy Pattinson described the participants in a program she runs through the … More
How To Get An Awesome Grad Job With Average Marks
With all the late night study sessions, last-minute assignment writing, and just general stress that comes with uni, we put … More
The exploited workers of Thailand’s tourism industry
Originally published through Global Hobo.
Adelong hens save the Men’s Shed
At the Men’s Shed building on Lockhart Street, Adelong, change is in the air. Instead of the usual bunch of … More
Updated wild dog strategy released
A NEW five-year NSW Wild Dog Management Strategy that identifies specific actions to minimise wild dog impacts in the state … More
Union: NPWS budget cuts affecting wild dogs
The National Parks and Wildlife Service has been under a storm of criticism from local farmers for not funding a … More
Domestic violence rates remain high
Tumut has the twelfth highest rate of domestic violence related assaults per head of population in NSW, the latest statistics … More
“Wom’s” 100th birthday celebration
Longtime Tumut resident Harold ‘Wom’ Oddy has, as of Saturday, lived 100 years on this Earth. For much of that … More
Results are in for wild dog collar project
Local landholders and agency representatives filled the Golf Club on Wednesday night to hear from Dr Guy Ballard, DPI wild … More
Councillors confirmed
The votes have been finalised and the preferences allocated, and you officially have your first ever Snowy Valleys Council: Bruce … More
Thefts from vehicles skyrocket
It won’t come as a surprise to regular readers of Page 2 in this paper that the offence of ‘steal … More
Compassionate journalism and Kosciuszko the life for Frances
This interview was done as part of a series on Monash alumni, published through the School of Media, Film, and … More
Recycling industry’s view on Four Corners
This week’s episode of investigate ABC program ‘Four Corners’ focused on dodgy practices in the waste and recycling industry. The … More
“This is what’s going on with the elderly in this country”
Twelve months ago, Leonie Denhert had her hands full running her successful contract cleaning business. She lived in her own … More
Snowy Valleys Council candidate: Audrey McKenzie
Audrey McKenzie has served on local government in Tumut for 24 years. She said the stakes have never been higher … More
Snowy Valleys Council candidate: John Larter
John Larter’s primary occupation as Tumut’s leading paramedic comes through in his priorities for the new Snowy Valleys Council. The … More
Tumut’s health crisis
Tumut is in the midst of a health crisis. There is no issue with the health professionals that currently work … More
Snowy Valleys Council candidate: Andrianna Benjamin
Andrianna Benjamin started her first business when she was 13. Owning and running her own shoe store, while completing her … More
Mohawk Man brings smiles
Robert and Shirley Giddings have brought a bit of cheer in this gloomy winter to Broughton Street, and all it … More
Health frustrations aired to Opposition Health Minister
It was packed house at Club Tumut on Monday afternoon as local residents seized the opportunity to air their complaints … More
Tumbarumba ‘Meet the Candidates’ meeting
Rail trails and fees debated at Tumbarumba meeting Residents also wanted to know where the candidates stood on the … More
Anaesthetist for booked cases
Tumut Family Medical Centre Practice Manager Janette Wilson said she hopes the recent focus on health has helped the community … More
Community reacts to health meeting
Those who attended the public meeting with Federal Shadow Health Minister Catherine King on Monday have mixed feelings about how … More
Cabramurra school will stay open
Cabramurra Public School will not close even though plans to remove the town’s permanent workforce remain in place, the NSW … More
Council to save Khancoban General Store
For over a year now, Khancoban has been without a General Store. It closed its doors in February 2016, and … More
Snowy Valleys Council Election Results
Top two take clear lead Saturday was a historic day in Tumut, Tumbarumba and surrounds. It was the first time … More
Tournament of Minds State Champions
Tumut Public School Tournament of Minds Coach Roslyn Castle said there were “a few tears” last weekend, after the girls … More
Industry’s role in health services
Local health services have been pursuing government avenues to get a full-time anaesthetist in Tumut for months now, and so … More
Thefts from vehicles skyrocket
It won’t come as a surprise to regular readers of Page 2 in this paper that the offence of … More
Snowy Valleys Council candidate: Julia Ham
Julia Ham is a suitable candidate for the Snowy Valleys based on location alone: she lives smack-bang in the middle, … More
Snowy Valleys Council Candidate: Bruce Wright
Bruce Wright is a familiar face for just about everybody in Tumbarumba. He’s been a member of the Rotary Club … More
Candlelight march in Tumbarumba
An anti-merger protest in Tumbarumba on Thursday saw hundreds of people gather in the Memorial Hall for a public meeting, … More
Snowy Valleys Council candidate: Cate Cross
Cate Cross’s working and community history reads like an ‘100 ways to care for others’ guide. Before moving to Tumut … More
Snowy Valleys Council candidate: Margaret Isselmann
Former Tumut Shire Councillor Margaret Isselmann has decided her work on council isn’t quite done yet – she’s nominated again … More
Michael’s hopeful search for great-grandfather
No one knows the importance of a good family – or the corrosive effect of the lack of one – … More
Premier agrees to meet Save Our Shire
Tumbarumba’s Save Our Shire group will speak in person with NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian today (Tuesday), in a meeting secured … More
Snowy Valleys Council candidate: Cor Smit
For Batlow resident and businessman Cor Smit, the Tumut-Tumbarumba council merger is an opportunity. He believes this whole region has … More
Snowy Valleys Council candidate: Geoff Pritchard
You can never have too much of a good thing. Just ask Geoff Pritchard: after 17 years total on the … More
The Snowy Valleys has a big heart
Notably more people participate in voluntary work in the Snowy Valleys than the NSW and Australian averages, data from the … More
Timber town
Half of all workers reliant on forest industry A new, in-depth study of the region’s forest industry has concluded … More
Church releases review
The independent review into the decision to place former Tumut parish priest Father Brian Hassett next to a Canberra primary … More
Help save the Adelong Men’s Shed
The Adelong Men’s Shed is in crisis, according to the man synonymous with its name, Ian Elliott. He started the … More
Elders recall life on the mission: An oral history of segregated life
Local legends on Facebook
A post in the Facebook group ‘Tumutians’ asking for local legends has drawn over 100 comments, as current and former … More
NPWS responds to wild dog concerns
The National Parks and Wildlife Service arranged for a trapper to work at Beryl Ryan’s Talbingo property last weekend and … More
Shadow Attorney-General stands up for Tumut court services
NSW Shadow Attorney-General Paul Lynch has taken up the issue of steadily eroding court services in the Tumut area with … More
‘We’re being driven off our farms’
Another Tumut-area farmer has spoken up against the inaction of authorities to do something about the wild dogs wreaking havoc … More
Break and enters up 200 per cent
Break and enter dwellings are up 200 per cent in Tumut, according to the latest statistics from the NSW Bureau … More
Tumut Takes 2 raises $87K
The Tumut Takes 2 performers have pulled off a phenomenal feat. Months of rehearsing and a packed calendar of fundraising … More
Hospital planning tick
The planning stages for a new Tumut Hospital will begin this year, with the NSW government responding to decades of … More
A Journey Through Islamic China
Originally published through Global Hobo. I’ve been on this train for 28 hours and have spent countless more jolting across … More
Wild dog spree at Talbingo
WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGE IN THIS STORY Beryl Ryan of Boraig Station, Talbingo, has lost all of the lambs she had … More