There is no such location as paradise, nor would Tasmanians be so egotistical to say their Island is the best place in the World, but it might be close enough. Who would argue with us in the North, for there is much to see, do, and live, no matter one’s age, lifestyle, and beliefs?
Here are a couple of narratives given to me, which epitomize how we see each other.
Stopping by ye delicious old bakery in Longford, a chance conversation with an Englishman lauded two notable observations, which made me laugh out loud, most pleasantly. Tasmania today, reminded the Pom of Britain way back in the 1960s a bit old fashioned, a much slower pace of life, yet with all the ‘Mod Cons’ of today, from refrigerators to motor vehicles and TV. You can have the best of both worlds right now!
One day, a young man left Tasmania and accepted employment in Melbourne. He set up a small apartment, furnished it, and looked after himself. After almost a year, our intrepid city dweller called his brother on his mobile to ask him if he would like to come and stay with him for a short while.
After about a week, both brothers were ambling along a main street when the elder brother suddenly turned to his sibling, saying, “ You must stop doing that!” Startled, the brother asked for an explanation. In Melbourne, stated the elder brother, people don’t say things like ‘Go’ day, how are you?’ or ‘Have a nice day’ to passersby. They mind their own business and get on with their own lives.
You see when you live in Tas’, you take your habits with you. The elder brother was embarrassed. So much for lost pleasantries.
Let’s have a look at what is on offer. We can climb mountains or walk the ‘Overland Trail’ which was initially the trapper’s route from north to south. How about sailing the coastal waters, canoeing the many lakes and rivers, or joining the Mersey Rowing Club which is 127 years old?
Sport as in other States is enjoyed by many from cricket to tennis, badminton, and not forgetting AFL. How tough are the intrepid players who have been playing on their ‘special gravel pitch’ in Queenstown for so long! Or you might want a leisurely pursuit like the ‘Weavers Guilds’ from Wynyard to Ulverstone.
And justly proud are the Men’s Sheds. There are now 72. This reminds me of a little anecdotal story about a group of ladies who pestered the shed men in Devonport to be given time to do some wood turning. At first, this was flatly rejected, until some men gave their time to show skills of wood-turning. The net result was satisfaction from the women, with their handiwork, and satisfaction from the men with the morning tea supplied by the women.
And the weather gets a mention, for we can oblige having four distinct seasons and occasionally having four seasons in one day. There are still fairs to be enjoyed from the return of Henley Regatta in Latrobe to the agriculture shows in Bothwell, and ‘A Day in the Paddock’ in Sheffield, with teamster plowing using horse and bullock, to world-class axe chopping competitions. We can sing and dance in our streets or we might choose the many coffee houses to visit when we get bored.
We live in a land of parliamentary democracy that generally gives us peace and harmony, which many across the globe might envy in our small island state. We have choices of transportation including cycling, and 4W drives, and we can fly to any part of the world.
And we are fortunate to have a comparatively world-class health system while others do not.
Therefore, we must learn to thrive on the ‘Good News’ and share it with others. And we can do that in many ways by communicating with friends, neighbours, and strangers. Why not go on the internet and locate goodnewsnetwork.org of stories around the world, or paint a picture, snap a colourful waterfall, take a walk, try to whistle, and above all appreciate the ‘good life’?