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ABC News
14-07-2025
- General
- ABC News
Meet the Tasmanian farmers keeping the English Leicester sheep breed alive after 200 years
They may not have the same star power as their Merino cousins, but for a handful of dedicated breeders, English Leicesters hold a special place on their farm. "Dad always used to say … the perfect English Leicester is just like a dining room table; a big, flat dining room table on four legs," Tasmanian breeder Fiona Hume said. On the banks of the Derwent River at Macquarie Plains, about 50 kilometres north-west of Hobart, you will find one of the country's largest English Leicester flocks. Ms Hume's family have been running sheep here since 1894, and English Leicesters since the 1950s. Because the wool does not fetch much, she admits the flock does not make a great deal of financial sense. "They're kind of this thing that you just love." It has been 200 years since the first documented English Leicesters were imported into Hobart from England. Today, the heritage breed — with its big frame and lustrous long locks — is classified as vulnerable in Australia. That is because there are just 20 English Leicester breeders in Australia and roughly 500 registered sheep. Brenton Heazlewood's family has been contributing to those bloodlines for generations. The president of the English Leicester Association of Australia is so passionate about the breed, he has released a book about their history. "What surprised me when I started the research was that the Merino people that brought them in," Mr Heazlewood said. "They wanted to improve the carcass of the merino, but still retain the merino wool." The English Leicester was developed in England by agricultural pioneer Robert Bakewell in the late 1700s, coinciding with the industrial revolution. He wanted an animal that grew a lot faster and with more meat than other breeds. Alongside Merino sheep, English Leicesters hit their peak in Australia between the 1830s and the 1930s. But numbers started to dwindle when their direct descendent, the faster-maturing Border Leicester, was introduced. And that is what Ms Hume has done, integrating them with her Suffolk sheep and crossing some with merinos to produce a small flock of good mothers. The breed is known for its long, high-lustre wool, sought after by spinners and weavers. It is this craft market that is maintaining English Leicester numbers in countries such as Sweden and the United States. But here in Australia, demand for the curly wool is limited. Ms Hume said there was certainly potential to grow the market. "I think their sheepskins and wool are really great products and I think there is enormous scope to expand in that area," she said. "If I had more time, I could be selling a lot more English Leicester sheepskins." So who is stepping up to continue the legacy of the breed? George Willows was just eight years old when he took on his grandfather's English Leicester flock with the help of his dad, Paul. Now 17, the young sheep farmer near Triabunna on Tasmania's east coast is keen to see sheep numbers grow. "They're very gentle, nurturing sheep," he said. "I've been trying to improve the growth rates, but still keep true to the breed. Mr Heazlewood is optimistic the breed's future is in safe hands. "It's all very well, old people like me having it," he said. "But you need young people to keep it going and and we have got that young base. "We're very lucky here in Australia, there's four or five young breeders interested in the breed. "So I'm confident that this future is secure, there's no doubt about that."
Daily Mail
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Home and Away star Christie Hayes shows off her baby bump during a stroll with her son in Tasmania as she reveals details of her pregnancy after miscarriage tragedy
It has been a rollercoaster year for former Home and Away star Christie Hayes. After experiencing a devastating miscarriage, the actress-turned-radio star is now safely into her sixth month of pregnancy. The 38-year-old couldn't contain her joy on a recent winter stroll by the Derwent River with her younger son Harley, near their home in Tasmania. In exclusive pictures taken by Daily Mail Australia, Christie - who shot to stardom in 2000 playing teen wild child Kirsty Sutherland in the iconic Aussie soap - covered up her baby bump in a purple cable-knit jumper. Her nine-year-old son Harley tenderly touched his mother's tummy as they cuddled up during the walk. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. The host of Hobart's Hit 100.9 Dan and Christie breakfast radio show is set to welcome a baby girl in a matter of weeks. She announced on air in May that she and husband Justin Coombes-Pearce - also a radio host on Triple M - are excitedly preparing to welcome their first child together after a gruelling four-year IVF journey. There's been plenty to celebrate for Christie in recent months. Together with her co-host Dan Taylor, her radio show recently scored the coveted number-one position in the breakfast timeslot. The two have been hosting together since May 2022, and it's the first time they've been declared number one, dethroning 7HOFM's Sarah Mick and Johnno. Christie told Daily Mail Australia her pregnancy is progressing well, and she is 'getting really excited' for the arrival. 'It's our first girl, so we're happy,' she said. Christie is already a mother to Harley and his older brother Hendrix, 10, from a previous relationship. When she announced her pregnancy, she included an emotional message to families going through IVF. 'It's been four years in the making … I am pregnant. We are ecstatic, we are safe, and we're in the second trimester already,' she said. 'I just want you to know that if you are going through IVF, I have been where you are. I know how hard it is. I just want you to know that it can happen. When you least expect it, your life can change.' In a touching tribute to the baby Christie and Justin lost, she added, 'After the rain comes the rainbow. 'After losing a baby, two back-to-back chemical pregnancies, our miracle is finally here. And now, somehow, it makes sense. The final piece of our puzzle.' 'To my fellow IVF warriors — I see you. I am you. If you're still waiting, still aching, still hoping — please don't give up. Your miracle might just be around the corner, your story is still unfolding and we never know what the next chapter holds. 'Our beautiful boys and my darling husband and I couldn't be happier.' In April, Christie told New Idea magazine that losing their first baby 'ripped our hearts out'. They had brought a special Christmas decoration for the child they'd nicknamed 'Sunflower', which read, 'Mummy and Daddy can't wait to meet you in 2024'. At the time, Christie spoke of being 'hopeful but realistic' about whether they'd become pregnant again. When announcing on 26 May this year that he was set to become a father, Justin shared an emotionally charged message to social media. 'We're finally in the "safe zone", and I still can't quite believe I get to say those words,' he said. 'We've walked through more heartbreak than we ever imagined - endless appointments, IVF rounds that didn't work, moments we felt completely broken, and nights when we clung to each other and tried to stay strong when it all felt hopeless.
ABC News
29-06-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Australia's last paper mill, Boyer, told power grid insufficient for electric conversion
On the banks of Hobart's Derwent River lies Australia's first, and now last, paper mill. The Boyer Mill is a piece of history. It is also reliant on some historical technology — coal burners. Coal-fired boilers have been creating the steam used in the paper manufacturing process since the mill opened in 1941. "That steam is used for softening [wood] chips in the pulping process, but its primarily used for drying paper in the paper machines, it's critical to our operation," the mill's general manager, Patrick Dooley said. The mill's new owner, businessman David Marriner, wants to cut off its coal connection and bring in electric boilers. The Boyer Mill is Tasmania's fourth-largest carbon emitter. The switch to electric would cut the plant's on-site emissions by about 95 per cent — roughly the same as taking one third of Tasmania's cars off the road. There is just one problem — getting the extra electricity needed. Mr Marriner said he had been told by state-owned power company Hydro Tasmania that it could not supply him with power from the Tasmanian grid, due to a lack of availability. Instead, it would have to import electricity from Victoria, which Mr Marriner said was offered a much higher price. The Boyer Mill is one of the state's largest power users. It currently uses around 100 megawatts — the electric boilers would require another 45 megawatts. "I feel stressed and somewhat frustrated in the discussions and negotiations we've been having," Mr Marriner said. The new boilers have been purchased from a Norwegian company and would be ready for installing in 15 months' time. Hydro Tasmania chief executive Rachel Watson said Tasmania's power and supply were in balance. "Until new generation is built, any large base load increases would be met by increased gas generation or imports from the mainland," Ms Watson said. She said any energy it sourced would be based on the cheapest available. "At times, that can be above what a customer wants to pay. "Hydro Tasmania remains focused on achieving a sustainable commercial return for its owners, the people of Tasmania." Boyer's Boiler No. 5, which was installed in 1991, chews through about 88,000 tonnes of coal a year. Since the mill lost its Tasmanian coal source three years ago, all of it has been brought in by a chartered ship from Newcastle, New South Wales. "It's unloaded and stored at a Bell Bay site then we utilise our contract with TasRail to bring the coal on a daily basis," Mr Dooley said. That coal comes with a $12 million a year price tag. "Now we've added [up] all of that logistics in terms of chartering the ship, storing it, unloading it and storing it at Bell Bay and then reloading it and bringing it down here," Mr Dooley said. The upgrades received backing at this year's federal election, with Labor tipping in $24 million. Of that figure, $9 million was to "stabilise its operations and prepare major investments to decarbonise and diversify its production", with the remainder to be spent on the electrification upgrades themselves. This is not the first time the Boyer Mill's electrification plans have been knocked back due to its energy supply. Under the previous ownership of Norwegian company Norske Skog in 2023, the company's plans for electric boilers were halted, when its request for 50 megawatts was refused by Hydro Tasmania. When Mr Marriner purchased the mill in February this year, Liberal spokesperson Nick Duigan downplayed concerns about a lack of power. In response to Mr Marriner's concerns, Mr Duigan told the ABC there was energy "through" Hydro Tasmania. "Our major industrials have significantly discounted rates, as we've encouraged the economic development these businesses offer the state," he said. "When additional supply is requested, Hydro Tasmania commercially negotiates a price." Hydro Tasmania said the total capacity of its system was more than 2,600 megawatts. The last major addition to Tasmania's power grid was the 112 megawatt Granville Harbour Wind Farm in 2020. The Northern Midland Solar Farm will provide another 288 megawatts when it is commissioned in 2027, and Hydro has agreed to purchase energy. Many other projects have been tied up in approvals processes for years. Last week, a decision on approvals under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act for the proposed Robbins Island wind farm was delayed for the seventh time. However, a new 250 megawatt solar farm at Weasel Hill in the Central Highlands received federal approval this month. It does not have an expected completion date. Adding to frustrations, Mr Marriner said Hydro had exercised a contractual right to cut off power supply "multiple times" since he took ownership of the factory earlier this year. "We get a credit for that, but it doesn't necessarily offset the cost of a total shutdown," he said. He said it comes with little warning, and impacted production schedules. Ms Watson said the trigger was one reason why Tasmania's major industrial customers received cheaper power. "It is part of their contract and we always give advanced notice. This is a very common arrangement for major industrials in the National Electricity Market," she said. Mr Marriner also said Hydro had been unsure it could supply power from Tasmanian sources for another of his business interests. His pre-cast concrete factory at Bridgewater produced the 1,082 concrete segments for the new Bridgewater bridge. Last year he unveiled plans to expand and convert the factory, so it could create 1,700 homes a year, made from precast concrete. The Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Michael Bailey has been saying for two years that Tasmania is in an "energy crisis". He is frustrated that nothing has changed. "We're trying to grow industry, we're trying to build business, and it's impossible to do that without enough power," Mr Bailey said. He said the key piece in getting new generation projects moving was the Marinus Link. "What Marinus will bring then is the business case for those major wind production sites that we desperately need." It is a proposal for two 750 megawatt high voltage energy cables between Tasmania and Victoria, and would allow for more energy trading between the two states. The federal, Victorian and Tasmanian governments are due in August to make a final investment decision on the first cable. Ray Mostogl from the Tasmanian Minerals, Manufacturing and Energy Council said the state should be focusing on building a few very large generation projects, close to existing transmission corridors. Mr Mostogl said that could help avoid the cost of building new transmission lines and potentially cause less community angst. "It's not just power, it's power at the right price," he said. Mr Bailey said if any of the state's four major industrials — Boyer Mill, Liberty Bell Bay, Bell Bay Aluminium and the Nystar zinc smelter — were to close, it would have ramifications on the entire state's power grid. "Not only would we see the cost of transmission increase for all Tasmanian households, but we'd see much more insecurity across our network. We'd see blackouts," Mr Bailey said. He also said Hydro's ability to switch off power to the major industrials helped balance the network. Mr Marriner said he hoped "common sense" would prevail, and that the Boyer Mill would be able to access power at a cheaper rate, even if it were sourced from Victoria. But the first choice is for Tasmanian-made green energy. "If you go back in our history, the one great asset we do have is in fact clean energy, and we should be all very appreciative for that," he said.
Times
23-06-2025
- Health
- Times
‘Benign masochism' of naked swimming brings us closer together
Wild swimming in a chilly river; running into the freezing sea for a new year's day splash; impulsive skinny-dipping in the cold waters of a lake. Why do these people do it? Jumping naked into the water with a group of other people might sound hellish to many, but the so-called 'benign masochism' and resultant 'trauma bonding' can bring participants closer together, a study has found. The effect is similar to eating spicy food or watching horror movies. For while the practice may sound painful, it actually induces pleasure in group situations. 'Enduring discomfort together may bring people closer, especially when it's mixed with a bit of joy,' the study found. Researchers in Australia, where it is currently winter, wanted to know why hundreds of strangers run naked into the Derwent River in Tasmania at sunrise for what is known as the Dark Mofo solstice swim, part of a wider arts and culture festival. Over ten years of studies, researchers tracked those who took part. Dr Laura Ferris, a social psychologist from the University of Queensland, said: 'We surveyed people before and after taking the plunge and found a significant boost in feelings of connection after the swim.' Cold water, hot food and horror films can all form part of what psychologists call 'benign masochism', Ferris said. 'Some of these experiences are painful but also enjoyable. Our findings suggest pleasure plays a significant role in why people might chase that feeling — and this helps us feel connected to others.' Ferris's research has previously found that pain can activate opioids within the body that persist after the pain has worn off, leaving behind a pleasurable sensation. 'We hear a lot about 'trauma bonding' and how shared adversity brings people together, but our research showed something further,' she said. 'Pleasure, rather than pain, came up as the strongest predictor of whether participants in these events felt bonded with each other.' The researchers also surveyed participants at a Dark Mofo artistic installation designed to splatter people with blood from an animal carcass, to the soundtrack of a loud 'dirge'. This experience was 'intentionally unpleasant' but was not 'physically painful', Ferris said. 'Of the two events, participants in the swim — although they likely experienced more physical pain — were significantly more likely to report pleasure and a stronger boost in social identification with their group,' Ferris added. Those in the UK seeking to test the hypothesis are in luck. There are scores of naked swimming events organised this summer as part of the Great British Skinny Dip, a programme designed to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation and compiled by the British Naturism group. 'Thousands of people across the UK will be skinny dipping to raise money for the British Heart Foundation and experiencing the exhilaration of being naked,' British Naturism said. 'They will improve their mental and physical health and wellbeing, body confidence and reduce their stress. They'll also have great fun.'
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Man's body found in industrial bin
A man's body has been discovered inside an industrial bin at a business in Tasmania. Emergency services were called to the premises on Percy St at Bellerive near Hobart about 9am on Monday. A police spokesman said the man's body was discovered at the rear of the premises located on the eastern shore of the Derwent River. 'Detectives and forensic personnel are currently on the scene conducting investigations,' a spokesman said. 'Police have the area contained and there is no danger to the public.' More to come
