Saturday, April 11, 2015

In defense of the land of "Dregs, Bogans and 3rd generation morons"



We took advantage of having our first Sunday off from the Market all year and drove 2 and a half hours away to the end of a road which brings you to Strathgordon in the remote South West Wilderness Area. There's absolutely nothing there, only one place to stay and it's nothing salubrious but perfect for our purpose which was to be able to relax without having to keep the kids on a tight leash. There's no shops, no people, no internet connection or mobile reception and it was exactly what we needed for 3 nights to feel human again. Disconnecting to feel connected. We brought everything with us - the kayak, the bikes, the fishing rods and the built-in entertainment system that comes from having 5 kids. We all had an excellent time. We saw 4 other people one night and no one could believe we could have such a place all to ourselves to which we replied "shh, don't tell anyone!'. The accommodation managers hadn't seen any kids for weeks so our kids happily played with theirs and they even opened up the indoor swimming pool that belongs to the town for us to use and offered to drive half an hour to their house to get some swimming costumes for the kids but with no one around they weren't necessary in the end!

We returned home to learn that high profile creative arts icon Mr Schofield had left our shores but not before unleashing a tirade against our beautiful State and people calling Tasmania a land of "dregs, bogans and third generation morons". After our few days away and the last 15 years of living here I couldn't think of a less apt way to describe our experience of Tasmania. Most of us laughed off the petty remarks, taking the derogatory comments for what they were, a frustrated man who left in a huff because the government only offered him $300,000 to run his 3rd consecutive Baroque Festival, the exact same amount they gave him the year before. He finally apologised yesterday for his offensive comments and I guess allowances can be made for him not being in "a good place" mentally. But still, those 3 little words publicly shaming an entire State hit a nerve and left a lot of people rightly miffed. The brain is wired to be more sensitive to negative comments and since it apparently takes 9 positive comments to dilute one little negative I offer the following points just off the top of my head in defense of the State I proudly call home:

1. Best boutique Hotel in the world - Saffire, Freycinet
2. Winner of the Man Booker Prize this year - Richard Flanagan for "The Narrow Road to the Deep North"
3. Cleanest air in the world with the most friendly, down to earth people I've ever met.
4. Named by Lonely Planet as the 4th best destinations in the world to visit in 2015.
5. Best Single Malt Whisky in the world this year - Sullivans Cove Single Malt.
6. Over 40% of our State is either National Park or World Heritage Area, not a bad playground.
7. Oldest everything in the country - oldest Pub, Bridge, Church, Gaol.
8. Tasmania is close to being 100% powered by renewable energy, with the largest renewable energy business in the country.
9. Last night at the Australian Tourism Awards, Tasmania won 10 out of the 29 categories, and more than any other state in Australia, awesome Tasmanians doing awesome things.

As you were, Tasmania.

44 comments :

  1. It has been 10 years since I last visited Tassie, but we fell in love with it - so beautiful!

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    1. Same with us Jo. We were only meant to be here for 3 years. That was 15 years ago! x

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  2. You have me longing more than ever to pay a visit!

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    1. You would love it Annie. I know I'd love Wales too. One way or another I'm sure we will meet one day x

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  3. Hi. When I heard that story I immediately wondered what you may think. We'd love to visit Tasmania. I'm waiting til your farm's up and running. Love seeing photos of your gorgeous bogans.xo

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    1. Should I have omitted the photos of them wearing their flannelette tops? I wouldn't want to add any truth to the bogan comments :-) Seriously, it's all been blown out of proportion a little bit. It's disappointing to lose the festival. But it's disappointing that some classes were cut from our school this year and some friends have lost their jobs - we're a tiny state with a tiny budget and times are tough. He was offered the same amount for the festival as last year but turned it down. Oh well. Look forward to seeing you guys down here soon xxx

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  4. Hello Mel,

    We know exactly what you mean about disconnecting in order to connect in a more meaningful way. Life these days is so governed by the new technologies in their various guises that it is refreshing to soul and body to become reacquainted with Nature and to do things on a simpler and more human scale. It sounds as if it was good for everyone.

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    1. I wish I could get the same effect at home by just switching off the various technologies but for me it's not the same - I need to have the technology completely unavailable to mentally switch off x

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  5. Even though I've only spent a grand total of six days in Tassie, I feel I can safely say that description comes nowhere near the reality! It's such a gorgeous place and we met nothing but lovely people when we were there, as your photos and stories confirm.

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    1. Thanks Katie, I'm glad you had a great experience down here x

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  6. Three cheers for Tassie and for the awesome Tasmanians doing awesome things! I have visited 3 times and I am amazed at her stunning beauty. Beautiful photos and it is great to see children enjoying the outdoor life.

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  7. I loved this. I live in a part of America that often gets a terrible rap and while it's not necessarily unfounded - there *are* some bad things going on here - I couldn't be prouder of this place. It's diverse, beautiful and interesting. People are mostly wonderful. We've been lucky to find ourselves absorbed by a community of intelligent people who want to make a difference and who care deeply about making the best of every situation. I really can't complain. I love your photos in this post. You have such a beautiful family.

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    1. Exactly. Communities are made up of all types of personalities and thank goodness for that but to say that the only Tasmanians left in Tasmania are "dregs, bogans and 3rd generation morons" is a huge generalisation, and untrue anyway....I love your part of the world Jennifer x

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  8. Honestly, people in the public eye should learn to think before they speak. Tasmania always looks such a beautiful place, I can well believe it won so many of the tourism awards. And I'm VERY impressed about the 100% renewal energy. Amazing photos, the damn made me sink my nails into my palms a bit, it's huge! It sounds like you had a wonderful (and very well deserved) break, I'm very glad. CJ xx

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    1. Sorry, I had to amend that statement - we are almost 100%, very close! x

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  9. I find in favour of the prosecution! Well said, Mel <3

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  10. One thing I think is true wisdom, that people like Leo Schofield don't realise, is that just because you had bad experiences it doesn't mean everything is that way. I've lived here for 7 years and still haven't been able to make a single friend but I'm sensible enough to know that doesn't mean that Tasmanians are unfriendly people, I've just had bad luck with a tiny subsection and hopefully he'll in time realise that its the same thing.

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    1. I've moved around a lot too Sophie so I know how hard it can be to 'break into' a community. Some are more open than others and it does take time. I'm not sure where you are exactly but if you are in the south I'd love to catch up with you x

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  11. How rude of that man! I'm not even sure what a bogan is, does that make me a moron? I'll have to google, anyway Tasmania looks a beautiful place and I hope I'm lucky enough to visit it one day. Xx

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    1. I hope you can visit one day too Alison, thanks so much for popping in x

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  12. I spent a few weeks in Tasmania and would happily emigrate to spend the rest of my life there! I am glad you enjoyed your weekend away from it all. You all look gorgeous and happy. xx

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    1. Well that a good advertisement for the State Christina! I reckon this part of the world looks a bit like parts of Scotland, do you think so too? x

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  13. Hey Mel,
    How very rude of him. Tasmania looks truly wonderful, and your photographs of your away from it all jolly, just serves to highlight that. You have a beautiful family. I especially love the picture of your husband fishing...a multi tasking man!
    Leanne xx

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    1. It was a bit rude. Everyone's entitled to their opinion but no need to broadcast such mean-spirited ones out to the whole nation...that backpack has been an absolute lifesaver! x

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  14. Hi Mel,

    I was lucky enough to visit Hobart in April last year and I told Kate how beautiful the place was, so much so that we are coming to Tassie with the girls for a family holiday after xmas this year - can't wait !

    Cheers, Col

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    1. Oh how exciting! I hope you can pop in here, it will be berry picking season at that time of year too x

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  15. Oh goodness, that's beautiful.

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    1. It's a lovely corner of the world, thanks for visiting Megan x

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  16. Your getaway sounds like it was just the right thing, at just the right time. I loved all of the pictures! Well, except for the one of your husband wearing the backpack and walking along the top of some very scary looking structure (perhaps a dam?). That one made me feel a bit queasy.

    As for the comments hurled at your beautiful home, all I can say is they sound like something a jealous five year old would shout out. I had to look up the word bogan, so I feel like my vocabulary has been expanded. When I would ever use the word I'm not sure, but it will be sitting there, at the ready, should the need ever arise. :-)

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    1. Good grief, that photo does look scary!!! I promise he was in no danger of falling overboard...

      I think you use the word "redneck" over there and in England apparently they use the word "Chav" although I think Bogan is a very Australian thing and probably doesn't exist or translate very well x

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  17. You live in a magnificent area Mel!! These shots of your secret vacation spot are breathtaking. Love the rugged hills and lake, and it's no wonder your family was enjoying it. Such great family shots of those beautiful kids of yours, all grinning so brightly! Have a great week!! Wendy

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    1. So nice to her from you Wendy, and thank you for those kind words x

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  18. Hi Mel, Mr Schofield obviously hasn't seen your blog! The pictures of Tasmania you share with us are stunning it looks a fantastic country. It must have been so good to have some family time and enjoy the wilderness. Sarah x

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    1. We did have such a great time, thanks Sarah. The pity is that Mr Schofield claims to actually love Tasmania's wilderness and heritage so it is unfortunate he had to say those negative things when he left as that is now all people will remember x

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  19. Would love to visit your neck of the woods.. Your photos are beautiful!!!! When I hear critical people sounding off I'm always glad I don't have to live in their heads!

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    1. Thank you Karen. I agree, it would be awful to be such a negative nelly all the time :-)

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  20. Your photos are stunning Mel and aren't the children growing fast?! x

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    1. Thank you Jay and yes, they are growing up way too fast!!! x

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  21. Oh one day I will get to your beautiful part of our country & I doubt I'll ever want to leave.....

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  22. Amazing pics Mel, look at your crew!!! They are so grown up & gorgeous. What a beautiful little adventure, so cool that you have wonderful spots like this, so close to home. I've been absent from the blog scene for a while now (again!), but hoping to rekindle the passion once more, as there are just so many memories to record :) Loving Instagram though & so nice to have found you there also. Take care lovely, Julie xo

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  23. Your photos are stunning Mel it sounds like bliss to visit a place and have it just to yourselves and to leave al the busyness of life behind. Your state is such a beautiful place and I loved visiting and it is on my list of places to revisit, I could see myself living down there one day maybe.... xxx

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  24. Amazing photos of an amazing place. I would love to visit your state one day, it looks like the stuff of dreams. I felt a bit queasy looking at that photo of the dam though... x

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