Fantastic concert earlier this week. Lucinda Williams joining Paul Kelly for Australian tour that landed at the intimate MyState Arena in Hobart. Wow. Many great reviews available online from opening concert in Perth say it better than I could.

Several days late, but a few pics from last weekend. Saturday morning Salamanca Market with a snow capped Kunanyi/Mt Wellington. And a full double rainbow over River Derwent on Sunday. Yeah, not bad, Hobart! Not very Spring-like, but I’ll take it!

What program dedicated to the review of new literary fiction starts off with the introduction line, “Books, books, books! We read “em so you don’t have to”?!?

Labor's Dean Winter describes #TASpol election as "a resounding message that [Tasmanians] want their politicians to work together more collaboratively. ...[W]e need to figure this out. This will take leadership, it will take maturity, and it will take a willingness to work and seek common ground."

Wonderful to see gifted palawa musician Dewayne Everettsmith performing his music with #TasmanianSymphonyOrchestra. The #LutruwitaArtOrchestra was privileged to perform Muylatina Tapilti Nayri with Dewayne in Dec 2024, evoking the spirit, memory and energy of Country through site-inspired music.

Need a fun #music boost? Moonsquatch is a collab btwn Moon Hootch and Saxsquatch to produce a funky sax banger that mixes old school hip hop with street folk with driving electronic percussion. Get amongst it! #musicsky

Ongoing revelations about #Tasmania TT-Line that runs the Bass Strait ferry service between VIC and TAS reveal depth of State Government incompetence. No surprise that company is now likely to require a taxpayer bailout of hundreds of millions of dollars. Another government created TAS money pit.

Covid on the increase in #Tasmania, along with flu. "The best thing people can do is stay up to date with vaccinations and stay home while unwell." Consistent message that vaccines are "a simple, safe and effective way to protect you and your family...." #vaccine #health

I attended the excellent '65,000 Years: A short history of Australian art' exhibit at Uni Melb Potter Museum of Art "celebrating the brilliance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, while confronting the dark heart of Australia’s colonial history." Includes examples of contemporary weaving.

Mercury article states: new Spirit of Tasmania IV and V ferries expected to be operational by Oct 2026. How is that possible when Devponport berth scheduled for completion in Feb 2027? Spirit IV, to arrive in TAS in 2021, was completed in 2024, 3 yrs and hundreds of millons over budget. #incompeTAS

The “looking back” view from my office window today at @utas.edu.au. #ShowYourStripes for climate change awareness. The coloured stripes represent temperature change in Tasmania relative to average of 1961-2010 (deg C). Level 3 breezeway of Centenary for anyone on campus.

Congrats to @utas.edu.au Profs Matt King @deformedearth.bsky.social and Anya Reading, recognised as ARC Australian Laureate Fellows! Prof King's project: 'Tracking and predicting the evolution of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet' and Prof Reading's: 'The expedited discovery of subsurface Antarctica.'

Summary of analysis of Tasmanian migration and demographic trends by @lisadenny.bsky.social, an Adjunct Assoc Prof @utas.edu.au. What is state doing to retain crucial 30-34 yr old cohort? Crucial insights into the demography behind the population numbers.

YouTube added to banned social media sites for AUS youth under 16 yrs of age. While many platforms can claim educational applications, whether one agrees with ban or not it's logical to include if aim of legislation is to prevent exposure to harmful content. Implementation still problematic.

Future looks brighter for those with diabetes. Aspecthera Pty Ltd, a @utas.edu.au spinout, awarded $500k of fed funds to advance novel treatment for diabetic retinopathy (blindness). Eyedrops may one day replace current treatment - lifelong regular visits to ophthalmologist for injections into eye.

UTAS researcher @james-pay.bsky.social and team from School of Natural Sceinces have analysed 6 years of eagle-worn GPS tracking data to develop a tool to map the risk of eagle and power line collisions. Data driven science that promotes both vital infrastructure and biodiversity conservation.

Looking at headlines where I used to live: CA Gov warns nation that democracy is next; No Kings protests on same day as military parade; military bases reverting to names honoring Confederates; Health & Human Svcs Secy purges CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. What country is this?

In TAS, Labor led vote of no confidence in Lib Premier passes P’ment. Governor reviewing options. Cross bench says will provide confidence & supply to minority Labor Gov’t. Labor says no deals w/ Greens, so no Gov’t. What’s the point? Election will provide same result of need for minority Gov’t.

The average barista flat white in Australia can cost between $3.50 - $5.50. The ABC reports that, soon, that cost could increase, perhaps even double. Coffee bean prices are increasing, with less supply and growing demand. How much are you paying now, and how much are you willing to pay?