March 6, 2024

A refreshing change

The makeover of this website is now complete and thanks to Abbie-Rose Design for doing such a great job. The launch last week coincidentally coincided with the launch of the Bass Greens candidates in the upcoming state election, of which I am lucky last support candidate at number seven. Emphasis on that word ‘support’. In Tasmania’s wonderfully unique Hare Clark voting system any votes I manage to win will be redistributed across the ticket to ultimately reach and add to those of our lead candidate Cecily Rosol. How brilliant it will be to see her elected, and all the hard work she’s put in over the last few elections when she’s put up her hand to stand, finally pays off.


This election will certainly be interesting given Tasmania’s parliament is at last being restored to 35 seats, and with a crowded field of candidates – including several standing as Independents – the word from the number crunchers is we are heading for a minority government. A healthy change in my opinion. The days of majority governments are all but over and a healthy mix of views and – one hopes – fresh ideas and vision should make for an interesting time ahead. Certainly if the pundits are correct then all the elected MPs will be required to work a good deal harder, and compromise and negotiation will be essential. With a little over two weeks to go it’s going to be a wild ride, but fingers crossed.


State election 2024

 

So here we are again

with another election

and another poll where

ballot papers are ticked

and we make our selection

from the red, blue and green

or maybe yellow or teal

but will it really be different

to the polls held before?

 

will boastful promises and claims

repeatedly proclaimed

during weeks of campaigns

then be broken or shelved?

 

because when counting is done

and no Party has won

and the result is a wicket

and a new game of cricket

with a new set of rules

and an exacting schedule

for those 35 reps

(who'll all need to take steps)

to discuss and debate

and compromise views

to ensure outcomes will not be abused

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Strange and Marvellous Things

By Anne Layton-Bennett • October 27, 2025
Well done to the north-west Tasmania branch of Fellowship of Australian Writers . Once again their editorial team led by Allan Jamieson have produced an excellent anthology, with the intriguing title – as above – and an undeniably quirky cover. The rather wonderful octopus is just one of the creatures on it, indicating a watery theme until your eyes pick out the morose-looking frog, sporting what appears to be a death-cap toadstool hat, and a moustachioed chap apparently hitching a ride to work on a magpie. They all suggest an intriguing mix of writing to be explored within. I appreciate I’m a little biased in promoting this collection of stories, memoirs, poems, anecdotes and travelogues of far-flung places, since I've got work included, but after my copies arrived in the post last week, and from dipping into the book already, it really does look like another interesting and eclectic read – as FAWNW’s previous anthologies have proved to be. Tasmania is definitely not short of some talented writers, even if all of them don't necessarily have a published book to their name. Neither do I as yet, but with my magnum opus finally completed, and currently being strategically submitted to publishers that are ones most likely to be interested going on their previous publications, my fingers are firmly crossed. For a first-time author I knew this part would be difficult, as well as time-consuming given the lengthy delays before possibly receiving that much anticipated email or phone call - or not if the six- eight- or ten-week deadline is reached with no news at all - but hoping that with Dr Bob Brown on-side and putting in a good word when and where he is able to do so, my submission will be plucked from the pile sent by other hopefuls. Then it will be a case of hoping it will spark enough interest to ask for a publisher asking to see the full manuscript. Strange and Marvellous Things (edited by Allan Jamieson, FAWNW) 2025 is available online or at good bookshops. RRP $25.00

Windy dog walks

By Anne Layton-Bennett • October 12, 2025
Tasmania's wild and windy weather has been more severe than usual this October, making dog walking more of a challenge, and less pleasurable than usual.

Spring cleaning

By Anne Layton-Bennett • October 2, 2025
Spring cleaning our walk-in pantry and having a clear out of stuff while doing so. A task that's been delayed due to having a broken wrist.

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