Your guide to living and StudYing in launceSton taSmania 2010/11

Inside...

WhY theY love lonnie

the Word on the Street

Where to Win friendS

kick Start Your career + much more

Why did we make this?

This publication is a collaborative project of the Launceston City Council and the Launceston Chamber of Commerce to promote Launceston as a learning destination for university students and a career ‘launch pad’ for young professionals.

We want to demonstrate the hospitality and lifestyle that our city is famous for, while showing you the outstanding education opportunities available at our world class University of Tasmania and Australian Maritime College.

And we’d like to give you everything you need to know to slip right into the good life in Launceston. So, we’ve taken the best of the city’s funky hot spots, mixed it with some crucial contacts and added some first-hand student accounts of life in our first-rate city. We’ve also thrown in a few hot tips on how to make some mates and squeeze the best out of Launceston’s generous lifestyle.

We’ve answered your questions, filled your calendar, organised your diary, and all but booked your ticket.

Why… Because we love Lonnie. And you will too.

WhyWhat you’ll find inside...

3 Why you’ll love Launceston 4 The word on the street 6 Profile Rachel Williams 8 Profile Katie Masters8 Launceston City Council 9 Profile Juliann Hargrave 9 MSFest sets Lonnie rocking 10 Profile Megan Taskunas 10 Theatre North brings the theatre to you11 Profile Leigh Cuthbertson11 Launceston Chamber of Commerce 12 Lose yourself in Launceston 14 Where to win friends 16 Profile Tristan Jennings 16 Australian Maritime College 17 A party in the Park 17 Profile Amelia Holloway 18 Mountain Biking 18 Profile Vanessa Hortle 19 Profile John Francis

19 Leg It 20 A–Z of Launceston 22 Profile Kim Anderston 22 University of Tasmania 23 How to get here23 Explore and stay23 Getting around the city 23 Living23 Finding a job23 Life Support

LoveLaunceston 09/10 | find your little bit of everything 3

Life Support

Launceston is a real ‘student city’ with tight knit sense of community. Whether you choose to live on or off campus, you may find you pay up to 20% less than you would for similar accommodation in a major capital city. UTAS offers four halls of residence - all within 10 minutes of the Mowbray Shopping Centre. Making a living in Launceston is not so hard either. With nearly half a million visitors a year, you can score yourself a job in hospitality, tourism or retail. Contact UTAS for help and advice on employment and accommodation.

Affordability

Launceston is generous when it comes to looking after students. Most pubs, cinemas and cafes offer some student discounts and public transport is your frugal friend. Most fares are nearly half the price of those in the major capitals. Full-time AMC and University of Tasmania students may even be eligible for free passes or discount fares with Metro Tasmania’s buses. Year-round, there are a range of free events and activities, including Active Launceston’s exercise programmes. Lonnie has some great Asian food stores and a big range of supermarkets. Each weekend, stallholders at the Evandale and Esk Markets have a great range of cheap vegies straight from local farms.

Whyyou’ll love Launceston

Accessibility

Affectionately known as ‘Lonnie’, Launceston is just a 50-minute flight from Melbourne (that’s a ride home in good traffic) or you can ferry across Bass Strait overnight on the Spirit of Tasmania. Virgin Blue, Jetstar, Tiger and Qantas schedule plenty of daily flights with a great range of cheap fares always on offer. Once here, you’ll find Launceston is the perfect base camp. Jump in the car and drive less than an hour to the beach or the bush. Or enjoy the big city benefits without the stampedes. Around town, a bike ride or lazy walk will mostly get you where you want to go. Nothing is ever too far away.

Diversity

Launceston has a strong sense of identity and is a unique mix of vibrant culture, contemporary arts, striking architecture, stunning scenery and enviable lifestyle. Yet Lonnie’s locals are famously unaffected and friendly. Whether you crave the city, coast, country or wilderness, you can find your little bit of everything right here. Enjoy the picturesque Cataract Gorge (10 mins by foot from the heart of the city) from the comfort of the pool or hanging from a climbing rope off its rugged cliffs. Or settle in for an afternoon at an atmosphere-soaked corner pub after a tough day shopping in our funky boutiques. Or head to the beach for the day and earn yourself a bucket-full of raspberries, picked fresh from a berry farm on the way home.

you’ll feel like an old friend | LoveLaunceston 09/104

The word on the street (Funky stuff)

We put this little section together by asking a whole heap of utaS and amc students where they like to hang, where they like to shop and what is catching their eye in ‘downtown’ launceston. By popular demand…

Lloyds Hotel “Everyone is always there! You’re sure to run into someone you know”, that’s the general consensus on Lloyds, on the corner of George and Cimitiere Street. Great local bands, big on atmosphere and a cool beer garden that is made for summer.

Mabella This little boutique gem in Lonnie’s Quadrant Mall will solve all your outfit problems. Cute tops, jackets, accessories to die for and a whole top floor of dresses, all within reach on a tight student budget.

Irish Murphy’s Pull up a stool and settle in for a quiet pint or amp up for a night of original live music at this Lonnie institution. The beer garden rocks on a lazy Sunday arvo and the atmosphere is unbeatable. www.irishmurphys.com.au

Burger Got Soul If you’re asking around for a good place to chow down, be prepared to hear these three words…. a lot. This laid back burger joint in Charles Street caters to all tastes, diets and demands. Eat in or order out. Either way you’re sure to jump on board the soul train.

Cocoon Make your own corner of Launceston really special with a little something from Cocoon. Designer homewares, jewellery, furniture and books are all up for grabs in this incredibly good-looking shop, get in quick. Another George Street gem. www.cocoonlaunceston.com.au

Route 66 If you’re on the lookout for the perfect pair of jeans, look no further. This awesome clothing store stocks a massive range of all the latest denim as well as funky trainers, hoodies, tees, shirts and belts from all your favourite labels. Look for it just around the corner from the mall - or follow the well-dressed crowd.

LoveLaunceston 09/10 | hankering for some goodness 5

Evandale Market The mother of all markets. Only 20 minutes from Lonnie, you can find a massive range of wares from quality Tassie crafts to bric-a-brac for every budget. The yummy foods stalls will keep you well nourished while you browse away your Sunday.

Cinema Samedi An awesome way to catch contemporary subtitled films on a Saturday night, all from the comfort of a converted chapel. Put yourself on the weekly emailing list and get in on the secret. egrubb761@yahoo.com.au

Content A beautiful little nook in Brisbane Street that sells irresistible gifts and offers service with a genuine smile. You’ll find something for everyone, including you, and you’ll feel like an old friend. www.content63a.com.au

Blue Café And Bar This contemporary café and bar shares the grounds of the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery at Inveresk and is a popular hang out for UTAS Academy of Arts students. Blue does fantastic breakfast and coffee, amongst other delicious things, and provides a perfect meeting point. An added bonus: all the art on display is for sale.

The Ruby Pear A gorgeous treasure trove of handmade, eco-savvy wares ranging from baby booties made of recycled bottles, to original off-cut leather wallets and bags – no two are the same. Look for the green door next to Blockbuster on Wellington Street.therubypeartasmania.blogspot.com

Design Centre Tasmania This craft and design gallery showcases the very best of Tasmanian works. Located in a shady corner of City Park, the gallery’s gift shop is a great place to see the best of Tasmania timbers using cutting edge design, from one off furniture pieces to the smallest of hand crafted items. www.designcentre.com.au

Fresh Had a big night? Hankering for some goodness? This is the place for you. Fresh serves up a delicious choice of vegetarian and vegan meals with real flavour. Its quirky décor and comfy seats provide the perfect spot for a lazy afternoon coffee or revitalizing, fresh juice. Veg out opposite Prince’s Square in Charles Street.

Lonnies Nightclub Everyone says this is always the last stop of the night. Located in Brisbane Street, ‘Lonnie’s’ massive dance floor, two ‘chillout’ spaces, some great bars and a 6.00am close, great DJs and live bands make it an awesome place to ‘hit the town’. www.lonniesniteclub.com

Cocobean If you’re struggling to acclimatise to the refreshing Tassie seasons, there’s no better place to warm up than here. This decadent chocolate shop on George Street offers a whole range of refined handmade treats and a delicious choice of hot drinks made with real melted chocolate.

I think the thing that I like the most about Launceston is the people. It still has that lovely country town attitude but with everything that you need in a city.

Rachel Williams_22

What are You StudYing? 3rd year. Bachelor of Performing Arts at the University of Tasmania in Launceston. Where are You from? Mt Barker, South Australia. WhY here? To begin with it was somewhere to study and do something different but now I love it here. I didn’t know anything about Lonnie before I moved here and I think I had that big city, ignorant attitude but it’s the fact that it’s not like Melbourne or Sydney that makes it so great. Where do You hang out? The Northern Club if you want to go dancing, or The Oak if you want to have a relax, otherwise we have a lot of house parties. Where do You feed? I love The Metz and Fresh and the Commercial has really good meals too, and not too badly priced. Bento’s great if you want to get some quick food and Blue Café is delicious. We’ve just discovered that the Inveresk museum (Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery) has some good takeaway food too. What thrillS? I love that in Launceston, it’s like you can be in a different state within a 20 minute to two-hour drive. I love that there’s so many different experiences in such a little, compact place. It’s like they’ve put all the best bits of the world in one little place – like a Cadbury chocolate favourites pack. I like to go for drives, go fishing and I really like going walking. In the summer we go to the beach a lot. What do You knoW noW? I honestly thought that for some reason UTAS was going to be a uni out in the sticks with a corner deli. I was very pleasantly surprised when I moved here. It was bigger than I thought it was going to be. I don’t ever feel short of anything to do here. I absolutely love living here, probably apart from the cold but you get used to that too. Now it becomes a nice kind of nostalgic thing. if a movie Were to Be made in lonnie, What genre Would the citY Suit? I’d like to make a real Australian comedy about a group of quirky people that spend a lot of time together and get up to random adventures and how they need to get out of the trouble they get themselves into. I could make a movie out of any day here. There are so many days when I think I’d love to film the sky.

LoveLaunceston 09/10 | like a cadbury chocolate favourites pack 7

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good times in a heartbeat | LoveLaunceston 09/108

Katie Masters_24

What did You StudY? Graduate. Bachelor of Tourism at the University of Tasmania (including six-month scholarship exchange to Denmark studying and working with tourism organisation Visit Denmark). Where are You from? Launceston, Tasmania. What are You doing noW? Launceston City Council Tourism Development Officer. WhY here? I’m a bit of a Tassie girl and Launceston is home. I’m really lucky to have found a great job and be pursuing my career here. With so much to offer, I love introducing Tassie to others and hope to keep doing this no matter where my career takes me. Where are You headed? I have no plans to leave Launceston anytime soon, life is so easy! There’s a lot happening in my job and in Launceston’s tourism industry. Where do You hang out? Probably Lloyds for Saturday nights. Friday nights you can’t beat the Star Bar and Irish Murphy’s is a regular. Where do You feed? Seaport for coffee and I love Burger Got Soul for good takeaway or Buddha Thai. Bento is great for sushi. What thrillS? Breakfast at Stillwater or the Basin Café then a trip down the West Tamar. You’ve got the vineyards and the beach – you can turn it into a day. What do You knoW noW? People who haven’t been to Launceston are really shocked at how close the Gorge is to the city. I think that’s our biggest asset by far. The fact that you can do so much in such a unique and picturesque backyard is unbeatable. if You had to Sell lonnie With a Slogan, What Would it Be? Launceston – good times in a heartbeat.

Nearly 100,000 people live in Greater Launceston. Whilst the city might have the largest collection of 19th century buildings, it is also known for its rich arts scene, its bold streak of innovation and its entrepreneurial spirit. UTAS and the Australian Maritime College are both located here which really amps up this vibe. Launceston is truly a ‘make it happen’ city. It’s a place where you can also get a life, kick back and take in the breathtaking bush that is so close to the heart of our city.

Our mission at Launceston City Council is to help you discover and come to love the city the way we do. We want you to consider Launceston as your ‘new home’, at least for three or four years. It is easy for you to live, work and study here. And when your studies are over, you may just find your ‘dream job’ and launch a stellar career right here in ‘Lonnie’.

Launceston City Council has a big commitment

to young people and the future of the city. We demonstrate this through the tertiary scholarships and bursaries we offer, the interns and cadets we take on, the high percentage of graduates we employ and the support we offer to undertake further training and education.

A quarter of Council’s workforce is under thirty, building really rewarding and fulfilling careers in a variety of fields from engineering to tourism.

Kick starting your career in Launceston means you’ll gain a really solid grounding that can take you anywhere. There are big career opportunities in health, retail, IT, tourism, environmental science, finance, forestry, manufacturing, aquaculture and agriculture. Launceston has its fair share of businesses who conduct global operations from bases in the city.

www.launceston.tas.gov.au

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LoveLaunceston 09/10 | the one way streets are awesome 9

trips. When the weather’s good we go to the Gorge as well - stock up the car with blankets and drinks and munchies and tan up and chill out or otherwise go see a good band. What do You knoW noW? The one-way streets are awesome. And I was shocked as to how friendly people were. There’s a really reassuring sense of community. If you’re stuck there’s always someone to help you, even if you don’t know them. deScriBe lonnie in three WordS: It’s a cliché but I would have to say healthy, wealthy and wise.

I love the scenery here. I hate looking out my window in Victoria and seeing buildings and pollution.

Juliann Hargrave_23

What are You StudYing? 3rd year. Bachelor of Nursing at the University of Tasmania in Launceston. Where are You from? Dandenong, Victoria. WhY here? UTAS was the only Uni that was allowing mid-term semester intake so I moved here within two weeks of being accepted. Where are You headed? I graduate in December so I’ll be going home to Victoria and my partner and I are building a house while I see out my graduate position. I’m going to miss Launceston. I’ve met a lot of friends here and had the chance to figure out who I am as well, matured a bit, grown up. It’s going to be hard to leave. Where do You hang out? Irish Murphy’s is the place to be. If I was still in Victoria it would be all about clubbing but I love being able to kick back and chill out with a beer and listen to some great live music. You have to mention Wednesday nights at the Saloon, and the St James, Club New York or the Star Bar. Where do You feed? Burger Got Soul, Flip and Fish n’ Chips at the Seaport - their chilli squid and Fat Boys chips. What thrillS? We jump in the car and go on road

Arguably Tassie’s most massive music event, MSFest sets Lonnie rocking every year with a huge line-up of hip hop and rock artists, DJs and electronic music.

Played at the showgrounds @ Inveresk, The Living End, The Presets, Cog, The Scientists of Modern Music, Rogue Traders, Hilltop Hoods and Sneaky Sound System have all pumped the 10,000-strong festival crowd. This is one not to be missed.

www.msfest.com

MSFest sets Lonnie rocking

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i think it sounds calm | LoveLaunceston 09/1010

Megan Taskunas_20

What are You StudYing? 1st/2nd year. Bachelor of Education at the University of Tasmania in Launceston. Where are You headed? I’d like to teach in Launceston. They’re moving into the 21st century. Also because I’ve done most of my training here and lived here, it’s all familiar and friendly! Where do You hang out? I like to go to Lloyds. It’s good going out in Launceston because you can have a quiet drink or you can go out and dance. It’s up to you. It’s not the whole nightclub thing. We’ve moved on from that. Where do You feed? Burger Got Soul is my favourite. Also, I love the Seaport. What thrillS? We like to go to the Gorge when it’s hot, but weekends up here are fantastic because you’re not spending three–and-a-half hours travelling. Everything’s so close. What do You knoW noW? You get four seasons in one day. You go from fog to heat all within hours. But the seasons are all amazing. Of an evening the sky is all different colours and the sunset is beautiful. You can look out and see all around you. What are the SoundS of lonnie? I think it sounds calm. I can hear leaves, wind and people - conversation as opposed to noise.

This independent not-for-profit organisation brings the theatre to you. It puts on a season of fantastic professional performing arts from around

Australia every year. It also supports locally produced theatre and dance and manages the Princess Theatre and Earl Arts Centre. The membership fee is well worth the coin for some amazing entertainment.

www.theatrenorth.com.au

Theatre North brings the theatre to you

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LoveLaunceston 09/10 | always up for a laugh 11

Leigh Cuthbertson_19

What are You StudYing? 1st year. Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Tasmania in Launceston. Winner of Launceston Chamber of Commerce Scholarship 2009. WhY here? I’m a small town guy. I hate Melbourne and Sydney; it’s all a big rush. You have exactly the same here as you would anywhere else in the world and friendlier people. Everybody’s always up for a laugh whether you know them or not. It’s not so serious. Where do You hang out? I mostly head to the movies on cheap Tuesdays or watch DVDs. If we head out, it’s usually up to Country Club Tasmania or Lloyds. Where do You feed? Subway’s always good for breakfast before uni or afterwards, especially at Mowbray. What thrillS? I play poker with my mates every fortnight and I’m also a swimming coach. I coach 8 to twelve year-olds at the new Launceston Aquatic Centre as part of the Old St Patricks Club. hoW doeS lonnie Smell? Fresh. There’s no crap in the air.

When I travelled through Europe and Africa and people asked where I was from I told them Launceston was a neat little place at the bottom of Australia. I told them that we’re too good to be joined to the rest of the mainland.

The Launceston Chamber of Commerce is a dynamic business organisation with a hugely diverse and active membership. We relish being involved in the local business community and the life of our local University.

The Chamber works hard in partnership with the University and the Australian Maritime College to strengthen the role and involvement of the Launceston campus in our community. One of the ways we do this is through support of the University Foundation’s Scholarship program. We also sponsor an annual prize in the Faculty of Business’s Internship

program and work closely on developing strong links between our members and the University’s Launceston campus to provide real opportunities for students.

Come to Launceston to study and you can select from a wide variety of specialised and traditional disciplines including innovative business programs, maritime and Antarctic studies, provocative creative arts, cutting edge science, nursing, architecture, fine furniture, education, and much more. Our local University has a program to take you where you want to go.

Launceston offers an enviable and affordable lifestyle and fantastic educational opportunities with an exceptional University. A short hop from Melbourne or Sydney, our city offers great contrast with the mainland or ‘big island’. There is something here for everyone.

www.lcc.asn.au

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High St

York St

St John StCharles St

Elphin Rd

George St

Bathurst St

Brisbane St

Canning St

Wellington St

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Henry St

Frederick St

Paterson St

Elizabeth St

Goderich St

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Tamar St

Cameron St

City Park

Windmill Hill

Aurora Stadium@Inveresk

InvermayPark

King'sPark

CataractWalk

Prince'sSquare

BrickfieldsReserve

St George’sSquare

Cataract GorgeReserve,

Cliffgrounds

North Esk River

Tamar River

South Esk River

RoyalPark

TO KINGS MEADOWS,AIRPORT & HOBARTHOSPITAL

TO UTAS NEWNHAM& AMC

TO AMC BEAUTY POINTCAMPUS & WINERIES

TO MOWBRAYSHOPPING CENTRE

Rockclimb

Shop& work

Eat& drink

Swim& play

Monkeyabout

Party& socialise

Mountainbike

Sail& paddle

Barrack& cheer

Funkystuff

Seaport

Queen Victoria Museum& Art Gallery

Zig Zag Track

Albert Hall

PrincessTheatre

TransitCentre

Travel andInformation Centre

UTAS - Performing Arts,Visual Arts & Architecture

Melbourne to Launceston (45 m

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STANLEY(3 hrs)

CRADLE MT(2.5 hrs)

STRAHAN(4.5 hrs)

HOBART(2.5 hrs)

FREYCINET(2.5 hrs)

ST HELENS(2.5 hrs)

lose yourself | LoveLonnie 09/1012

High St

York St

St John StCharles St

Elphin Rd

George St

Bathurst St

Brisbane St

Canning St

Wellington St

Cimitie

re St

Henry St

Frederick St

Paterson St

Elizabeth St

Goderich St

Invermay R

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West Tam

ar Road

Tamar St

Cameron St

City Park

Windmill Hill

Aurora Stadium@Inveresk

InvermayPark

King'sPark

CataractWalk

Prince'sSquare

BrickfieldsReserve

St George’sSquare

Cataract GorgeReserve,

Cliffgrounds

North Esk River

Tamar River

South Esk River

RoyalPark

TO KINGS MEADOWS,AIRPORT & HOBARTHOSPITAL

TO UTAS NEWNHAM& AMC

TO AMC BEAUTY POINTCAMPUS & WINERIES

TO MOWBRAYSHOPPING CENTRE

Rockclimb

Shop& work

Eat& drink

Swim& play

Monkeyabout

Party& socialise

Mountainbike

Sail& paddle

Barrack& cheer

Funkystuff

Seaport

Queen Victoria Museum& Art Gallery

Zig Zag Track

Albert Hall

PrincessTheatre

TransitCentre

Travel andInformation Centre

UTAS - Performing Arts,Visual Arts & Architecture

Melbourne to Launceston (45 m

ins) Sydn

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Lau

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(1.5

hrs

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LAUNCESTON

STANLEY(3 hrs)

CRADLE MT(2.5 hrs)

STRAHAN(4.5 hrs)

HOBART(2.5 hrs)

FREYCINET(2.5 hrs)

ST HELENS(2.5 hrs)

LoveLonnie 09/10 | lose yourself 13

Lose yourself in Launceston

Trails

CBD

Public Space

get into the thick of it | LoveLaunceston 09/1014

Falls Festival

Welcome to a student’s dream. The Falls Festival is the ultimate New Year’s Eve party. If you haven’t heard of it, don’t admit it. It features more than 50 local and international bands, comedians and films that rock out over two massive days and nights from December 30. Held on a farm overlooking the amazing Marion Bay, about two-and-a-half hours drive from Launceston, Falls boasts some unbelievable acts.

See for yourself at www.fallsfestival.com.au. Go there, pitch your tent and be seriously entertained.

Uni Night

Wednesday night at the Launceston Saloon is legendary. If you’ve lost your mates, or you’re looking for some, your best bet is to find them here. A live band plays every week as well as a DJ, and for those of you who rate your pipes, there’s karaoke in the Loft. Entry is free for students before 11pm and UTAS runs a free bus service there and back. Cheap, easy, awesome.

www.saloon.com.au

Football at Aurora Stadium

Sports fans pay attention. If you want to get into the thick of the AFL action there’s no better place than Launceston’s own Aurora Stadium – Tassie home of the Hawks. The premiership team play four games each season in Launceston and one-eyed Hawthorn supporters come from far and wide to cheer on their heroes. Footy fan or not, soak up the atmosphere and get excited.

www.aurorastadiumlaunceston.com.au

Where to win friends (Mixing with the locals)

Gig Guide

Keep an eye out for “Xstatic Plus” in The Examiner, Launceston’s daily paper, every Friday or the great local street press “Sauce” every fortnight. These will give you the lowdown on all the gigs in Launceston and across the state, as well as tours and festivals, and a shot of music news, interviews and reviews.

LoveLonnie 09/10 | step outside your comfort zone 15

The Launceston Cup

Fillies, nags, gee-gees and donkeys – Launceston’s most colourful event, the Launceston Cup, has them all, on field and off. This huge day in February is an absolute must for anyone looking to plant themselves smack-bang in the middle of the colour and excitement of Lonnie’s social scene. Throw on your best duds, grab some foldies and your friends and hit the track for the big horse race.

www.tsrc.com.au

The Launceston Ten

Are you keen to run into 2000 people? Do it literally in the Launceston Ten. For those of you looking for an active challenge, hit the streets in this 10km fun run and walk.

www.launcestonten.org.au

O’Neill Cold Water Classic Looking for some pumping green room action? The O’Neill Cold Water Classic will blow you away. The event has been held at Marrawah, just over two hours from Launceston on the State’s far northwest coast, and attracts some of the biggest names in surfing - Occhilupo, Slater and Fanning, to name a few. Get among your people at this underground surfer’s paradise.

www.coldwaterclassic.net

UTAS Clubs And Societies

Got a passion for plant science or a soft spot for fencing? Whether you’re a jock, geek, historian, hippy, muso or medic, the University of Tasmania has a club or society to scratch every itch.

Log on to www.tuu.com.au and find some like-minded friends or step outside your comfort zone – throw an ultimate Frisbee or investigate the curious Bottom Of The Earth Society – you never know what, or who, you’ll find.

so many things to do it eats into my uni time | LoveLaunceston 09/1016

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Tristan Jennings_22

What are You StudYing? 4th year. Bachelor of Engineering (Naval Architecture) at the Australian Maritime College in Launceston. Where are You from? Sydney, New South Wales. Moved to Lonnie at five years old. WhY here? The biggest reason for me is the AMC. There isn’t anywhere else like it in the southern hemisphere. You can study my degree in New South Wales but it’s purely theoretical – all whiteboard work. We’ve got a fishing vessel, the Blue Fin, I get to go to sea for a week, for example. You just can’t do that kind of thing anywhere else. AMC has the resources to be able to apply our knowledge. Where are You headed? I really want to go to Antarctica. I’ve applied for some voluntary positions, but apart from that I really don’t know. I just know that I love boats and engineering and I’d like to do something that combines the two. Where do You hang out? Irish Murphy’s is one of the biggest places because it’s just got the best atmosphere and it’s the right crowd for our band – music seven nights a week – original and acoustic. Where do You feed? Flip or Pickled Evenings for Indian takeaway. What thrillS? I have so many things to do in my time off it eats into my uni time – windsurfing, rock climbing, kayaking and mountain biking. What do You knoW noW? The great thing about Lonnie, for people who like extreme sports, is you can organise to go for a rock climb at the Gorge straight after uni in the afternoon, and then walk back into town for a beer. I don’t think there’s anywhere else in Australia you can do that. if Your laSt daY on earth Were to Be SPent in lonnie, What Would You do? In order of preference; lock myself somewhere private with my girlfriend; go windsurfing or sailing on the river with my family; or spend the day jamming with every musician I know – there are a lot in Launceston – a big family. Choices.

If you love the water, there’s really only one place to think about studying and that’s the Australian Maritime College.

Overlooking the Tamar River, the AMC is the national leader in training and education for all marine and maritime careers. An institute of the University of Tasmania, the AMC offers world-recognised qualifications in seafaring, maritime business, the marine environment and maritime engineering disciplines including naval architecture, ocean engineering and marine and offshore systems. It’s the only place in the Southern Hemisphere to offer all the facilities; towing tank, cavitation tunnel, model test basin, ship simulators, survival and firefighting centres, aquaculture centre - it even has its own fleet of training vessels including the 35m Bluefin. It’s big on undergraduate and postgraduate study and there’s a large range of accommodation, both onsite and close by.

So from working on the deck of a tourist boat on the Great Barrier Reef to taking charge of a supertanker, from designing a surfboard to engineering an oil rig, the AMC provides practical, hands-on training in a range of exciting and rewarding areas.

With AMC, people go on to sail the world, design ships or even the ports those ships visit. They work in booming industries like oil and gas and they run some of the largest operations on the planet. They study climate change, oceans and work at the forefront of conservation in the marine environment. Most importantly, they love what they do.

With a graduate employment rate approaching 100%, AMC is ranked in the top 10 maritime education institutions in the world.www.amc.edu.au

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A party in the ParkHeld annually in Launceston’s beautiful City Park the second weekend in February, Festivale is Launceston’s premier food, wine and entertainment event.

Head to the website www.festivale.com.au for all the details.

LoveLaunceston 09/10 | city, country and wilderness 17

Amelia Holloway_23

What did You StudY? Graduate. Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing, International Business, Business Management) with Honours at the University of Tasmania in Launceston. What are You doing noW? Marketing Consultant for Launceston based integrated marketing company AT&M. WhY here? My sister lives in Melbourne but I can’t see myself living there… getting up early to use public transport. You only have to drive five minutes to get to town here or an hour to the beach for the weekend. Over there everyone seems in such a mad rush. Where are You headed? I’m travelling to South America at the end of the year for a couple of months then heading back to a marketing job here. Where do You hang out? We go to Lloyds for the pool tables and live music. What thrillS? Of a weekend we like to go fishing, wakeboarding or diving. There are so many great spots and clear waters. We spend a lot of time on the water at Bridport, Musselroe Bay or Port Sorell. What do You knoW noW? People would be surprised by how many things there are to do. Everyone heads overseas before they’ve seen everything that’s on offer here. And from Lonnie you can travel an hour and be at the beach or two hours and be at Cradle Mountain in the wilderness. There are so many places that people haven’t discovered. if lonnie Were an animal What Would it Be? A bird. Lonnie is so diverse. It has the city, country and wilderness all in a small area but everything is still spread out, open and free.

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Vanessa Hortle_26

What did You StudY? Graduate. Bachelor of Commerce (Business Management, International Business & Marketing) with Honours at the University of Tasmania in Launceston. What are You doing noW? Executive assistant at Autech Software and Design. Where are You headed? I love my job. I mostly look after the chief executive officer and I couldn’t have a better role at the moment. It’s so diverse. We export 90% of our products, I have the world at my fingertips here in Launceston. I’ll look at expanding my job here and then who knows? My partner and I are considering building. Where do You hang out? I like to do brunch with friends at Cucina café on the weekends or a lazy afternoon session at Aroma’s on Charles Street. I prefer to catch up for coffee but if I were heading out, it would be Friday night at the Star Bar. Where do You feed? The Northern Club is a great place for a meal. Toro’s or the Prickly Cactus is great for cheap eats or the Me Wah for takeaway. What thrillS? Weekends off – definitely a wine tour - up one side of the Tamar River and down the other. That’s the great thing about Lonnie; we have world-renowned wines at our doorstep. What do You knoW noW? The café scene here is so much further advanced than people think. You can head out and do the whole Sex And The City thing – catch up for coffee and then browse all the little boutique stores where you find things you can’t anywhere else.

the whole sex and the city thing | LoveLaunceston 09/1018

Launceston’s rugged bushland is fast seeing it become a mountain biking mecca. If you want to take your bike off the beaten track, a number of Forest Reserves offer rugged and challenging trails. In and around Lonnie, mountain bike facilities are located at Heritage Forest, Torrens St People’s Park and the Lilydale Recreation Ground, and cross country and singletrack riding may be enjoyed at Hollybank Forest, Trevallyn Reserve, Youngtown Regional Park and at the Kate Reed Reserve. The Launceston Mountain Bike Club (LMBC) holds regular DH, XC and Enduro events, along with social rides, fun events, skills days and trail building days. Check out the website at www.lmbc.com.au.

Mountain Biking

I played basketball for the Tornadoes and they’re a great club with a great fan base. Other teams that travelled to Launceston would always comment on how great the city and the atmosphere was. There’s not support like it for any other team and I think our hometown had a lot to do with that.

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John Francis_20

What are You StudYing? 2nd year. Bachelor of Business at the University of Tasmania in Launceston. Where are You from? Sudan, Africa. WhY here? I lost both of my parents in Africa and my older brother went to the seminary to become a priest in Uganda. There they had a camp for refugees and a humanitarian program that was getting people out so he managed to come over here. That’s when he arranged for my twin brother, James, and I to come over too. Where are You headed? I’m waiting to hear about a position with a local firm so I can start from there. Where do You hang out? We sometimes go to the Country Club to play golf on the weekends up at the driving range or play tennis there too. What thrillS? I play sports a lot – soccer, football, cricket, and basketball. What do You knoW noW? Back in Africa, with the war, it would be not be safe. I would also have kids already and a wife probably – a family man – because in Africa you become a family man at a young age and you don’t have the opportunity to experience different things. There would be no chance for school or an education. hoW haS lonnie changed Your life? Launceston’s been really good to me. I could have moved over to Melbourne with my brother but I decided not to. I told them that I don’t want to go anywhere. I want to stay here and finish my education, go to uni, because I do believe there are real opportunities here. I’m working at the Grand Chancellor as a casual waiter and I’m doing really well. It’s nice and quiet and relaxing and much easier to concentrate on your education.

My family and friends in Sudan always ask if they can come and see me here. Coming from Africa, Sudan, then coming here to see everything we have and going back was really hard for me.

Leg itThe best way to see Launceston is to walk or cycle it and luckily, the city is as foot and bike-friendly as it gets.

You can step out on your own and explore Inveresk, the Gorge, the Seaport or Tamar Island, for a start, or cycle your way around with the help of Launceston City Council’s free “Guide To Launceston’s Trails”. Pick one up from the Town Hall or the Launceston Travel and Information Centre.

LoveLaunceston 09/10 | weekends up at the driving range 19

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A is for AMCAustralian Maritime College Launceston is ranked in the top 10 maritime education institutions in the world. See page 16.

B is for Bay of FiresJust 2.5 hours from Launceston, Tasmania’s Bay of Fires has been named the world’s “hottest” travel destination for 2009 by international guide book Lonely Planet.

C is for Cable Hang GlidingVoted one of the 10 best rides in Australia by Getaway. Take the plunge at Trevallyn Reserve.

D is for Devil The largest carnivorous marsupial in the world, the Tasmanian Devil is wholly protected, and a State icon.

E is for East CoastTasmania’s “suncoast” is only a two and a half hour drive from Launceston to some of the best beaches in the world.

F is for FootballIs an institution at Aurora Stadium, home of the Hawthorn Hawks.

G is for GorgeA unique natural formation -a rare natural phenomenon in any city and only a 15 minute walk from the CBD.

H is for HollybankVisitors glide across the treetops in this award winning and unique forest canopy tour, gaining a bird’s-eye view of Tasmania’s beautiful forests. Watch out for special offers.

I is for InvereskHome to the Academy Gallery and the School of Visual and Performing Arts for UTAS Launceston.

J is for J Boag & SonSituated in the heart of the city and brewers of one of the world’s finest beers.

K is for Kite festivalA wonderfully colourful annual event. Fly or fight your kite at beautiful Heritage Park.

L is for Launceston AquaticPerched on Windmill Hill, this is the newest and most impressive addition to our city. A great place for a swim and a coffee. Check out the view from the spa.

take the plunge | LoveLaunceston 09/1020

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M is for Macaque MonkeysThe monkeys were a gift to Launceston from its sister city, Ikeda in Japan. Visit the monkeys for free in City Park.

N is for National ParksTassie boasts 19 magnificent national parks, all within a short drive of Launceston.

O is for Original musicA major part of Launceston’s nightlife, there’s plenty to be reviewed at the city’s best pubs.

P is for PeopleLauncestonians are friendly and helpful. There will always be someone close by to give you a helping hand.

Q is for QVMAGThe Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery is the largest museum and art gallery in Australia located outside a capital city. A must-see.

LoveLaunceston 09/10 | the perfect extreme environment 21

R is for Rock climbingGrab your gear and head to the Gorge for some of the best rock climbing you’ll encounter with an unbeatable view of the city!

S is for SeaportLaunceston Seaport is located 500 metres from the CBD. Enjoy coffee, fish and chips or a drink after the footy. The boardwalk also connects Seaport with Royal Park and the Gorge precinct .

T is for Targa TasmaniaAn exciting international tarmac rally with competitive stages on closed roads for the best touring, sports and GT cars in the world…and it all starts from Lonnie.

U is for UTAS LauncestonSituated at two locations, Newnham and Inveresk, our local University is close to the city centre and overlooks the Tamar River. See page 22.

V is for VillagesLongford, Evandale and Ross, quaint little villages with great corner pubs and cafes only a short drive from the city.

W is for WineriesLaunceston is the gateway to the renowned Tamar Valley wine region. Share a bus and get tasting.

X is for ExtremeWhether it’s kayaking, canoeing or mountain bike riding you are looking for, Launceston is your answer to the perfect extreme environment.

Y is for YachtingThe Tamar River offers some of the best sailing in the North.

Z is for Zig Zag TrackAt the Gorge. Walk it, run it or stroll it. You’ll love it.

Kim Anderston_18

What are You StudYing? 1st year. Bachelor of Applied Science (Marine Environment) at the Australian Maritime College in Launceston. Where are You from? Mornington Peninsula, Victoria. WhY here? It was either a course at Warrnambool or it was AMC and I chose AMC because everyone knows it. It’s world-renowned. People who come to AMC are more likely to get jobs with higher pay rates. Where are You headed? After I finish my degree I’m travelling around America with my best friend for probably a year or two and then I’ll look for a job in Marine Biology. But I can see myself coming back here, definitely. I love it. The friends that I’ve made are like family now. Where do You hang out? Definitely the Saloon Bar on Wednesday nights for Uni Night and Lloyds on a Saturday or Hotel New York when bands play. Where do You feed? Star Of Siam is really nice Thai… and cheap. What thrillS? We go running up at The Gorge, mountaineering or surfing on the East Coast on the weekends. What do You knoW noW? It’s so easy to make friends here. I thought Launceston was going to be really cold and grudgy. It’s actually not like that. The people are really, really nice compared to Victoria where everyone is in their own world. Everyone is so open and happy willing to help you out. What iS the firSt thing that comeS to mind When You hear lonnie? I used to think scary but now I think fun… and shopping. Definitely shopping.

i used to think scary, now i think fun | LoveLaunceston 09/1022

Students studying at the Launceston campus of the University of Tasmania (UTAS) can expect state of the art facilities, modern buildings, attractive and spacious grounds, quality accommodation and recreation options, and a friendly and inclusive learning environment. Located at Newnham on 50 hectares on the banks of the Tamar River, the campus is ideally situated with access to regular public transport into the city centre (just 10 minutes away by bus), a wide variety of shopping facilities within walking distance, and affordable accommodation options both on and off campus.

Highlights of the Launceston campus include: the Australian

Maritime College, offering world-class teaching and research facilities with leading courses in Maritime Engineering and Hydrodynamics, Ports and Shipping, and Marine Conservation and Resource Sustainability; a new Human Interface Technology Lab (HITLabAU) – the only such facility in Australia – offering virtual/mixed reality technologies with a focus on design, visualisation, simulation and games; and the School of Nursing & Midwifery’s state of the art simulation centre which enables students to participate in a range of low, medium and high fidelity simulation activities throughout their study.

A satellite campus of the University is located at an historic Inveresk site, and encompasses the School of Visual & Performing Arts and the School of Architecture & Design in impressively-refurbished former tram sheds and new state of the art buildings. Students at the Inveresk site enjoy being part of an inner-city cultural precinct that enables cross-fertilisation of ideas between the theatre, visual arts and design disciplines in Launceston.

Combined with flexible learning areas featuring computer labs and interactive study environments and a new sport and recreation centre, these world-class facilities make the Launceston campus an attractive option for prospective students.

www.utas.edu.au

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The live music scene is great here. In Victoria it’s so huge that it all becomes too hard. But The Presets, The Potbelleez, Cog – they’ve all been here and when a big gig like that plays it’s a massive event and the atmosphere is awesome.

How to get here

Launceston is easily accessible by air and sea. Here are some handy links to help you find your way here:

airwww.virginblue.com.au www.jetstar.comwww.tigerairways.com.au www.qantas.com.au

Seawww.spiritoftasmania.com.au

Within the Statewww.redlinecoaches.com.au

from the airPortThe Airporter Shuttle Bus Service (03) 6343 6677. Price to/from Launceston Airport to city is single fare $14 or double fare $24.

Explore and stay

The Launceston Tamar Valley website www.ltvtasmania.com.au gives you the low-down on things to see and do and accommodation in and around the city from backpackers to motels and caravan parks. Need some local knowledge? Ring Launceston Travel and Information Centre for help organising your ‘reccy’ of Launceston on freecall 1800 651 827.

Getting around the city

Metro Bus Services www.metrotas.com.auCombined Taxis 132 227

Living

Launceston is a really cool place to live. Many suburbs have really ‘speccy’ views of the Tamar River, the hills and mountains surrounding the city. Lots of students choose to live off-campus in Newnham, Invermay, Mowbray, and Trevallyn. Check out www.tchange.com.au/regions/launceston_city.html for suburb profiles. Ask around, check student notice boards, take a look in The Examiner or log on to realestate.com.au or domain.com.au to find available rental properties and sharehouses up for grabs. Most real estate agents are located within easy walking distance of the Launceston CBD.

LoveLaunceston 09/10 | a host of opportunities 23

Acknowledgements

Photography Steven FrenchAdditional Photographs Will Brown, Rob Burnett, Launceston City Council, Tourism Tasmania, Tristan Jennings

We wish to thank the students and graduates, profiled in this

publication, for their love of Launceston.

LoveLaunceston is printed on Spicers Tudor RP 100% Recycled. Tudor RP is

Australian made and contains 100% recycled fibre. No chlorine bleaching occurs

in the recycling process and Australian Paper is ISO 14001 certified. Sales of

Tudor RP support Landcare Australia.

Finding a job

Part-time work can really take the heat off your student cash crises and Lonnie offers a host of opportunities to make a few extra bucks. Try these online employment sites, ask around, and get around a few places of interest. www.searsonbuck.com.auwww.seek.com.au www.careerone.com.auwww.tasmanianjobs.comwww.jobsguide.com.auwww.mycareer.com.au

Life Support

www.headspace.org.au/northerntasmania

Where: Cataract Gorge, 10 minutes’ walk from the city centre