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Articles by Rick Eaves
Policemen reflect on Burnie's bitter paper mill strike - ABC Northern Tasmania
We have heard a series of stories from the Long Lunch for men at Northdown, supported by the Healthy Tasmania Fund. Reporter Rick Eaves spoke with all sorts of great characters at the event and saved the best for last with this chat. At the table were the two most senior policemen tasked with keeping the peace during the bitter 1992 paper mill dispute in Burnie. You may remember them as Inspector Roy Fox and Senior Sergeant Hank Timmerman.
Tales from a life on the railway
Grant Youd spent most of his life working on the rails. Most of the time it felt like the best job in the world, but some days it was literally a train wreck. Story by Rick Eaves, additional production by Danielle O'Neal. Posted 11m ago11 minutes agoMon 19 Jun 2023 at 9:00pm, updated 4m ago4 minutes agoMon 19 Jun 2023 at 9:06pm Burnie, Ulverstone, Rail Accident, Human Interest
Ulverstone's clock tower is a Tasmanian icon, but the story of the migrants who hand-built it is little-known
Four post-war-migrant friends led the building of a unique and iconic clock tower in Ulverstone on Tasmania's northern coast, but then weren't invited to its opening. On that day in February, 1954, they watched over a backyard fence as the newly crowned Queen Elizabeth rolled past with her motorcade. Slovenian-born Jernej Balzelj, 92, is the only surviving member of the 12-man team who hand-built the Shrine of Remembrance clock tower, which is also the town's war memorial and cenotaph.
Firesticks gift to north west council
As part of Reconciliation Week, the Central Coast Council unveiled an Aboriginal fire stick which will have a permanent place at the centre of its meeting table in Ulverstone. Made from bark and local botanicals, it has been gifted by the local Aboriginal community to acknowledge the council's commitment to the process of reconciliation.
Driving cattle and cars: chats from the 'long lunch' - ABC Northern Tasmania
About a year ago, the first Men's Long Lunch was staged at Northdown, near Wesley Vale, bringing older men together to share stories and stay in touch. Assisted by the Healthy Tasmania Fund, a team of volunteers cook and serve while the men focus on great catch-ups and a good time. Rick Eaves recorded a bunch of chats at the most recent lunch - men with all sorts of wild life behind them and many with passions they continue in retirement.
Electricity took Kevin around the world - ABC Northern Tasmania
About a year ago, the first Men's Long Lunch was staged at Northdown, near Wesley Vale, bringing older, retired men together to share stories, photos and just stay in touch. With assistance from the Healthy Tasmania Fund and a team of volunteers who cook and serve, the men can focus on eating, drinking and yakking. Kevin Walker, is one of the many men who go along because the big world he once knew and travelled has become smaller with advancing age and retirement.
Why do our freshwater crayfish risk it all on the road - ABC Northern Tasmania
The question is familiar: Why did the Tasmanian giant freshwater crayfish cross the road? The answer is, of course, to get to the other side. The bigger question is why does this unique and endangered species risk becoming roadkill when it could pass through a culvert beneath the road? The Mt Roland Landcare group has teamed with an authority on the species, Todd Walsh, to find answers and - hopefully - solutions. Broadcast 8h ago8 hours agoThu 25 May 2023 at 8:35pm
Why did the giant crayfish cross the road? Conservationists want to know — and stop it
Conservationists are asking a familiar-sounding question: Why did the Tasmanian giant freshwater crayfish cross the road? One answer is, of course, to get to the other side. The bigger question is why does this unique and endangered species risk becoming roadkill when it could pass through a culvert beneath the road? The secretary of Mt Roland Landcare, Greg Taylor, says a project funded by Tasmanian Landcare is seeking answers and also hopes to find a solution.
Enid loves giving dolls a second chance - ABC Northern Tasmania
Enid Skinner has two rooms in her house on the north west coast dedicated to a collection of more than 4000 dolls. Some are pristine, some antique but many were saved from the tip and garage sales. The English born 86-year-old was raised by her aunty and uncle during World War 2 after her father was killed in the fighting. She told Rick Eaves she likes to give dolls a second chance at being loved. Broadcast 2h ago2 hours agoWed 17 May 2023 at 6:00am Devonport, Community and Society, Hobbies
Soprano's emotive comeback: 'you will perform again'
When classical singer Jacqueline Ward left Sydney in 2021, she felt she was walking away from her chosen career as a musician. After a car crash a year earlier, then COVID lockdowns, she staged an emotional comeback in Tasmania in 2023. Story by Rick Eaves, additional production by Zachary Bruce. Posted 7h ago7 hours agoTue 16 May 2023 at 2:00pm, updated 32m ago32 minutes agoTue 16 May 2023 at 9:07pm Burnie, Arts, Culture and Entertainment, Health
Train driver's story of life on Tasmanian railways, from wrecks and near-misses to opera and stunning beauty
Some days were literally a train wreck. Most days though, driving a train in Tasmania seemed the best job in the world. Recently retired TasRail driver Grant Youd has written a book, A Train Driver's Story, recounting the highs and lows of his 49 years on the rails. It also looks back fondly on days when every tiny community had a station, a gang of fettlers and lad porters who kept their buttons polished.
A train driver's story
You've probably heard people describe their life as 'a bit of a train wreck', right? Means very, very messed up. Well, just retired Tasrail train driver, Grant Youd, has written a memoir that takes you inside his experience of a very real train wreck. His book also recalls moments of wild beauty on Tasmanian trains, like ploughing through snow in the rainforest or being showered by sea spray from the waves of Bass Strait.
Soprano's emotional comeback in Tasmania
Classical soprano Jacqueline Ward felt like a COVID refugee when she moved to Tasmania during Sydney's second lockdowns. The virus had twice delayed a performance comeback after recovery from spinal injuries suffered in a car crash with her mum and baby son. This week she finally made an emotional return to the stage with Tasmania's baroque stars, Van Diemens Band, at the Burnie Arts Centre.
Life and death at sea on Tasmania's rugged west coast
David Kiely's mother didn't want him to be a fisherman on the west coast of Tasmania. Forty years after he began, David is now retiring from crayfishing on one of the wildest and most dangerous coastlines in the world. Story by Rick Eaves, extra production by Elsa Silberstein. Posted 7h ago7 hours agoSun 12 Mar 2023 at 2:00pm, updated 12m ago12 minutes agoSun 12 Mar 2023 at 8:48pm Macquarie, Fishing, Aquaculture
Freestyle Dan takes on MTB world tour - ABC Northern Tasmania
Tasmania has totally arrived as a world class mountain biking destination with Derby and Maydena hosting the first two legs of the Enduro World Series. Every other event on tour is in bike mad Europe. Local Maydena trail-builder and professional Enduro and Downhill racer will be the crowd favourite. Booker, had stopped racing at 17 after breaking his back at the junior world champs in Europe.
Charlies Angels, watching over the rescue dogs
Three Devonport Nannas are turning heads with their raggedy troupe of rescue dogs in prams. They call themselves Charlie's Angels, after their favourite but most timid little dog. Their smallest - Gizmo - is a deadset smiling assassin! These friends make it their life to give unlucky dogs a second chance at love.
Charlie's Angels trio devoted to protecting orphaned fur babies and rescue dogs
Three nannas with three prams, approach side-by-side, right across the walking track. It's lovely to see, then a double take confirms there are no babies present. The prams are full of ratbaggy dogs. Rescue dogs, orphaned dogs, then a few more shuffling along on leads, their eccentric gaits and sideways tongues are survival badges. "People just ring me and say 'can you take a dog?' and the word 'Nooo' wants to come out but 'yes' comes out instead," says ringleader, Christina Darkiewicz.
Charlie's Angels watching over the rescue dogs - ABC Northern Tasmania
A beautiful trio of nannas have been bringing smiles to the riverside walkways of Devonport with a 'troupe' of nine raggedy rescue dogs that they just love to death. They call themselves Charlie's angels after the most timid of their little doggies. Rick Eaves happened to see them coming - three prams abreast and expected to see grandkiddies, but no - the prams were full of old and sick dogs. Broadcast 2h ago2 hours agoTue 14 Feb 2023 at 5:00am Devonport, Animals, Aged Care
Happy Italian bike traveller, loving Tasmania - ABC Northern Tasmania
Omar Chinea is an Italian photographer with a world class laugh and a lesser quality bicycle. He loves it though and flew it all the way from his home near Milan to ride a lap around Tasmania. At the moment, he's a bit stuck on Devonport, where the living is easy and the bike tracks are flat. He goes by the handle of Omar_The_Orso on social media, which means Omar the Bear. Broadcast 21h ago21 hours agoMon 13 Feb 2023 at 5:00am
Margie and Sticky are stuck on Queenstown - ABC Northern Tasmania
Geoff ‘Sticky’ Steele and his wife Margie have lived their entire lives, from birth, through marriage, to retirement, in Queenstown. They both had family work in the mines when the Mt Lyell Mining and Railway Company was the heart and soul of the town. They also remember the blueish haze of sulphur fumes and the glory days of the annual picnic train to Strahan. Broadcast 6h ago6 hours agoWed 8 Feb 2023 at 5:45am Queenstown, Zeehan, History
Memories of the Mt Lyell Picnic and jumping on and off the train - ABC Northern Tasmania
The Mt Lyell Strahan Picnic is a west coast institution and this year celebrates 125 years. The first picnic was in 1897 when miners and their families travelled from Queenstown on the Abt Railway to Teepookana before barging to the mouth of the King River. An annual picnic train was soon taking hundreds of people through the rainforest every year all the way to the picnic site at West Strahan Beach.
After 150 years of music, murder and rioting, patrons of the Forth pub have a lot to talk about this weekend
Over the course of 150 years, the double-gabled Bridge Hotel — known colloquially as the Forth pub — has seen every kind of triumph and tragedy. An icon of live music and community spirit in north-west Tasmania, it is also the site of murder, and home to stories about rioting, fire, and a poisoned dog. So much so, in fact, that licensee Trent Allen once asked its rumoured ghosts to "quieten down" after sleepless hours upstairs.
150 years of the Forth pub - ABC Northern Tasmania
There are ghosts upstairs, a Great Dane living on the stage where national touring bands play and a cavalcade of tractors, utes and motorbikes out the front. The Forth pub is an iconic meeting place with a rich history now stretching to 150 years. A huge concert has been organised to celebrate the milestone.
Hunting crayfish on the high seas
David "Charlie" Kiely is hanging up his sea legs after more than 40 years fishing the west coast of Tasmania. The crayfisherman has lost friends in the ferocious seas but says he wouldn't change a thing. Story by Rick Eaves, extra production by Jessica Hinchliffe. Posted 1h ago1 hours agoWed 23 Nov 2022 at 8:00pm, updated 11m ago11 minutes agoWed 23 Nov 2022 at 9:39pm Strahan, Rural, Fishing, Aquaculture
Raw beauty, extreme danger: the beautifully free life of a west coast Tasmanian crayfisherman
Dave ‘Charlie’ Kiely is retiring after 40 years in one of the more dangerous professions in the country — crayfishing off the west coast of Tasmania.
Crayfisherman looks back on life and death at sea on Tasmania's rugged west coast
Sitting on the deck of the Erin K in peaceful Mill Bay, David "Charlie" Kiely remembers that his mum didn't want him to be a fisherman on the west coast of Tasmania. Forty years after he began, Mr Kiely is now retiring from crayfishing on one of the wildest and most dangerous coastlines in the world. He has lost friends and fellow fishermen to the ferocious mood swings of the Southern Ocean. But he has also experienced raw, powerful nature and wildly beautiful coastlines that few others ever see.
Reflecting on life and death at sea off Tasmania's west coast - ABC Northern Tasmania
Dave 'Charlie' Kiely is retiring after 40 years cray fishing on the west coast of Tasmania. His mother was a bush nurse who moved to Strahan when Dave was a young boy. He grew up around boats but his mum had hoped he wouldn't be a fisherman. Working in one of the most dangerous coastal environments on the planet, he experienced extraordinary beauty but also a lot of tragedies. Broadcast 11 Nov 202211 Nov 2022Fri 11 Nov 2022 at 5:15am Penguin, Strahan, Fishing, Aquaculture, Lifestyle
Policeman's book explains mid-life mountain biking crisis to kids - ABC Northern Tasmania
Burnie's creative cop, Senior Sergeant Stewart Williams, is about to launch his fourth book for children and his second about the perilous passion for mountain biking. Our Dad Bought a Mountain Bike detailed an unravelling madness - mountain bike addiction, injuries and new bike lust - through the eyes of a child. The companion book, Our Mum Bought a Mountain Bike, will be published before Christmas. Broadcast 56m ago56 minutes agoTue 1 Nov 2022 at 5:45am Burnie, Mountain Biking, Books (Literature)
Police officer writes Our Mum Bought a Mountain Bike follow to children's book
When a Burnie police officer wrote a children's book about a dad's painful new addiction to mountain biking, it was told through the eyes of his own bemused children. Those kids still ponder the mid-life decision of their dad, Senior Sergeant Stewart Williams, to become an injury-prone daredevil. Now, a companion book to the confessional Our Dad Bought a Mountain Bike is about to hit the shelves. "It is a bit of a balance up I guess," Senior Sergeant Williams said.
Smashed by flood, buoyed by support, but future for a Tasmanian wildlife park remains uncertain
Amid the chaos of Tasmania’s recent flooding, the family that owns Wing's Wildlife Park at Gunns Plains were cut off from animals and on-site staff. After an anxious and emotional 48 hours, they regained access on October 15 and found their animals safe, along with the staff and on-site residents who tirelessly watched out for them. But in that moment of relief, they realised that the very future of their popular tourist attraction was now very much in doubt.
Anxious wait on Gunns Plains Caves damage - ABC Northern Tasmania
Gunns Plains Caves owner-operator, Geoff Deer, is awaiting a report from Parks and Wildlife on the state of the popular tourist caves which were more than half filled with flood water. A resident at Wings Wildlife Park, Mr Deer was also part of the effort to ensure the safety of animals there when floodwaters hit last week. Still emotional, he spoke to Rick Eaves yesterday about the strength of his community and the hope to be operating when the first Burnie cruiseboat arrives in November.
Gunns Plains resident Kerry Jewell on fate, floods and the perils of moving house
Reporter Rick Eaves happened to say hello to Gunns Plains resident Kerry Jewell on Friday, the day after she had moved into the old Gunns Plains General Store. She had moved house one day day before - the very day on which the catastrophic flood hit Gunns Plains. Amazingly, she had once before moved into a house in Gunns Plains.
New west coast MTB trails for Christmas - ABC Northern Tasmania
A second network of west coast mountain bike trails opens in the Heemskirk Reserve near Zeehan in December. Trail builder Marcelo Cardona said his team had worked right through the winter to produce more than 30km of new trail. The West Coast Council's Aaron Stewart says it is a significant step in a term strategy to further diversify a regional economy traditionally dependent on mining. Broadcast 27 Sep 202227 Sep 2022Tue 27 Sep 2022 at 6:00am Zeehan, Cycle Sport, Tourism and Leisure Industry
Epic Heemskirk MTB trails to add to Tasmania's allure as world-class mountain biking destination
Tasmania's allure as a world-class mountain biking destination will be cemented when the Heemskirk network of trails near Zeehan on the state's West Coast opens in December. Early next year, that reputation will be further sealed when the state's Derby and Maydena networks each host a leg of the prestigious Enduro World Series — deemed "the ultimate combination of racing and adventure, where riders encounter the most physically and technically challenging mountain bike trails in the world".
Poets in Tasmania and Sweden, who have never met in person, use online chats to co-write poetry book
When Tasmanian poet Therese Corfiatis needs to get away, she only has to ask her Swedish friend, Britta Stenberg, for a screen-time tour of her snow-covered home. The two poets have developed a close friendship via regular online video chats, despite living at opposite ends of the globe and never having met in person. "I love it when she takes the laptop outside and swings it around — it can be minus 30 degrees there and the whole world outside her house is white," Ms Corfiatis said.
Poet 'sisters' from across the world publish book together - ABC Northern Tasmania
Therese Corfiatis is a poet whose first published work was an essay inspired by the ignorance around her son Paul’s autism diagnosis in the 1980s. Her latest collection, Bridge of Words, to be launched in October, was written in conjunction with Swedish writer Britta Stenberg. The pair shared and compared their real time experiences via the computer screen during the first year of COVID from opposite ends of the earth.
Why we tried boxing - ABC Northern Tasmania
It's always interesting to know what drives someone to be adventurous, take risks and knowingly put themselves in danger. And with the sport of boxing, an extra layer of primal instinct is activated - that 'fight and flight' or 'fight to survive' reflex. ABC Features reporter, Rick Eaves, was recording interviews at a Burnie boxing gym recently when he met a teenager and a 31-year-old mum who had followed very different paths to the boxing ring.
Defensible and brilliant for a cuppa, one man's castle takes idea of dream home to fantasy level
/ By Rick Eaves Posted 9m ago9 minutes agoTue 23 Aug 2022 at 8:25pm Help keep family & friends informed by sharing this article abc.net.au/news/burnie-mans-home-really-is-his-castle/101357430 Nights of Dungeons & Dragons and tabletop gaming began pretty much as soon as the roof went on Shannan Drakkon's castle. It may have taken two years to build, but his dream home has become reality in the suburbs of Burnie in northern Tasmania.
Burnie man's home really is a castle
Shannan Drakkon moved to Burnie because it had exactly the right hill to build a castle on. His modern take on a medieval style castle has captured the imagination of the town throughout the building process - and kept plenty of tradies busy. Now it's done, the liveliest place inside is the dedicated gaming room, where Shannan hosts nights of Dungeons and Dragons and other role playing and tabletop sci-fi and fantasy games. Broadcast 3h ago3 hours agoTue 23 Aug 2022 at 6:00am
Tasmanian bush community comes together to heal after devastating and tragic storm Original
An almost total stillness followed for days after a terrifying storm devastated areas close to Sheffield, Tasmania last month. "It was incredibly still like it had just totally exhausted itself," said Kristen Lang, a poet who lives on the lower slopes of Mount Roland. Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume.
Children's book uses palawa kani language and English to share cultural story of boy's journey to manhood
The Tasmanian Aboriginal author of a new children's book, luwa tara luwa waypa, says he has realised a dream of reaching people with the stories of his culture. "People sort of tell me I'm a storyteller and you know, I wasn't great at school, reading and writing," Dave mangenner Gough said at the launch and NAIDOC Week celebration at Tiagarra in Devonport. "But I've got an imagination. "In the last few years it's grown into the story it is now.
Don River Railway family work together on steam engine passion
Devonport's Goss family will never forget the day that Des and his son Grant fell in love with steam engines at the Don River Railway. They can't forget because that was the day that they — the rest of the family — were left stranded at the beach. "We just got so into it, we forgot about the others," a still sheepish Grant Goss recalls. That was 1973 and Grant — to be fair — was only six. Des concedes he had also bought Grant a train set for Christmas and then played with it more than his son did.
A life of working with machines helped drive Phil Dobson to find one of his true loves
At a farm sale in Idaho, in the US, a 1948 Ford F1 pick-up truck sits half-buried under other rusting sale lots. A Tasmanian man famed for his affinity with machines sees it and falls in love. It was Phil Dobson's wife, Judith, who insisted that he go back and "buy that old thing or forever regret it". He joked that his affections have been somewhat divided ever since.
Johnny Cash's life celebrated in Devonport premiere of musical Ring of Fire
"Hello … I'm not Johnny Cash" drawls local theatre legend Sid Sidebottom as Wendy (from costume) passes him another black shirt in the backstage hallway. In a full dress rehearsal for Ring of Fire, The Music of Johnny Cash, the former federal member for Braddon demonstrates that he can deliver the deep and low tones of the legendary American singer. But this is not a tribute show.
'We didn't want him to be invisible': Firelighter business shining a light on autism
A warming fire crackles to life in a fire pot outside a garage workshop where the packing of firelighters will soon begin. Deborah and Andrew Smith are just waiting for their son, Austin — the boss — to show up. The boss has autism spectrum disorder and is non-verbal. As the top dog, he starts work when the mood takes him and gets in the groove by playing The Wiggles on his headset. Much like any modern office.
Moving Story dementia care project
A Tasmanian arts organisation is making documentary films with people who have dementia and exploring the aged care outcomes. Arts Health Agency director, Chris Mead, says the idea was triggered on the day of his own mother's funeral.
Films capture true essence of people with dementia so their stories travel with them
A project giving people with dementia "a chance to be film stars" is providing Tasmanian aged care teams with insights about their clients that no amount of paperwork could ever convey. The Moving Story project is inspired by filmmaker Chris Mead's own experiences and that of his mother, Judy, who developed dementia and needed to move into residential aged care in her later years.
Devonport's 'breadarchitect' Chris Stafferton 'invents' gluten-free bread products and DIY kits
Chris Stafferton used to be a naval architect. Now he is Devonport's self-proclaimed "breadarchitect". Working from his home kitchen, he doesn't just bake bread products, he invents them. "I always wanted to be an architect when I was a nipper. Now, making bread, it's about designing breads that hold their structure, without gluten," Mr Stafferton said.
This Ukrainian couple almost didn't escape the bombings. A call from an Australian friend saved them
Phone calls from Penguin, Tasmania may well have saved the lives of a Ukrainian couple who are now fleeing to Australia. A few days after Alexander Djerourou and Anastasia Mikheda fled the southern port city of Kherson, their house — and their street — was destroyed by Russian bombs. They had received an early warning to leave from Alexander's lifelong friend, Alex Solomon, who lives in Penguin. Critically, he had also sent the couple money.
Burnie pop-up gallery Intersection Art Space hosts Living Memory National Photographic Portrait Prize
A national touring exhibition has opened in Burnie despite the fact the town's art gallery closed last year.
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