Category — Tasmanian Tales

Dean Preston, a sound engineer from Sydney, obviously enjoyed his trip to Tasmania. Here’s his contribution ‘Spring in Tasmania’, courtesy of YouTube:

The sword of myth and legend became obsolete in the early 20th century with the disappearance of cavalry on the battlefield and the final abolition of duelling.

The weapons and practice of swordplay transformed into sport fencing, using lightweight, electrified sabres, epees and foils designed to score points, not injure.

So it would be difficult to imagine a more unlikely occupation at the beginning of the 21st century than professional swordsman, but Tasmanian Stephen Hand has made a sucessful career as a internationally recognised teacher, scholar, author, fight choreographer and practitioner of Medieval and Elizabethan sword fighting.

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By MARIA FLETCHER | One of the world’s most deadly ants, Myrmecia pilosula — better known as the Jack Jumper, is native to Tasmania. The Jack Jumper (also called the Hopper) ant exists only in Australia and a close encounter can prove deadly to the more than 60,000 people who are allergic to its sting.

It is estimated that around 10 per cent of the Tasmanian population may be allergic to the Jack Jumper, with around 3 per cent suffering life threatening anaphylaxsis if attacked by the ant.

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