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Vale Graham Wright
Sad news arrived this week regarding the passing of LBT regular, Graham Wright. Graham was a prolific contributor to the LBT Newsletter on Tuesday Group
matters both as scribe and photographer. He is mentioned in some 90
contributions, much to his credit! As is the way of the photographer, there are many photos by him, not so many of him. The following eulogy was provided by Peter Hill: Sadly Graham , a stalwart of the LBT maintenance crew ,passed away
at his home on Wednesday afternoon. A member of the LBT for many years Graham had a natural way with conversation around the workshop table touching on the various topics that old boys talk about . He was never lost for words. He helped where he could and although his
back problem gave him pain he would step up to do what he
could . One can ask no more than that . He produced
some of the best photo,s of workshop activities that we
hope will not be lost . Graham was born in Manchester but
brought up in the channel islands and had many and varied
careers from driving heavy trucks , wedding photography ,
trader on Salamanca market, a lighting technician for many
well known bands and a long time connection with local Huon
FM radio. A large teddy bear of a man with a good heart
. He will be missed by many . In the absence of an available next of kin, a mutual friend (David Coldrick) is expected to arrange Graham's funeral, probably with a cremation. Details of this will be distributed to the LBT and personal friends as soon as they become available. RIP Graham.  |
Public’s views sought on Huon Highway corridor study
The following call and opportunity to comment has been appearing in the local papers and Facebook - worth considering! "The Huon Highway Corridor Study, Kingston to Southport, is part of the Tasmanian Liberal Government’s delivery of safe and efficient transport links to the Huon Valley. Tasmanians are now invited to provide input into a corridor study which will inform an overarching 10-Year Strategic Action Plan for the Highway. The Huon Highway is a vital link to and from the Huon Valley, connecting major industry sectors such as tourism, forestry, aquaculture and agriculture with Hobart and beyond, and is the main route for people travelling to and from the region. This strategic review will investigate the likely future transport demand in the next 30 years. It will develop a prioritised list of road improvement projects that will improve safety and travel time reliability in the short term and plan for expected future needs. It will also review the prioritised projects from the 2012-13 Huon Highway Corridor Study (Huonville to Southport) to identify any new issues or changes in priority. We want to hear from the community about issues they have experienced, and how they use this stretch of highway and we encourage them to have their say. Consultation is open from today to Saturday, 31 July 2021. The public can have their say through an online, interactive map on the Transport website, www.transport.tas.gov.au "  |
MAST correspondence re Capricornia
 MAST has advised the LBT that they have considered Pip's report on
the capsize of Capricornia on the 7th June and that no further investigation is
required. They do make a number of suggestions which we should follow, with a particular focus on cold water immersion awareness. A copy of that correspondence is below and is worth our consideration.  |
Rowing News
 Progress is continuing on the removable
figureheads on the skiffs. Plus, the maintenance crew have been busy
with new footstraps on trial in the bow seat of Freyja. Feedback is
welcome - it should assist with rowing technique allowing rowers to lean
back. Congratulations to Five Mile Crew who rowed in the Welsh five
mile event over the weekend and recorded the fastest Open Women time.  |
Tasmanian Land Conservancy (TLC) to the Egg Island Reserve (Sat 24th July and 28th Aug)
 The Tasmanian Land Conservancy (TLC) are proposing to make a visit to work on the Egg Islands Reserve and will be seeking the assitance of the LBT volunteers and vessels to make there way there and back on Sat 24th July and 28th Aug. For those not aware of the TLC the following information might be useful: "The TLC is a not-for-profit, apolitical, science and community-based organisation that raises funds from the public to protect irreplaceable sites and rare ecosystems by buying and managing private land in Tasmania. All donations of $2 or more are tax deductible. " About the Tasmanian Land Conservancy The Tasmanian Land Conservancy (TLC) was established in 2001 with $50 in the bank and a handful of committed volunteers. Since then, we have grown to be one of Tasmania’s largest private landholders. We protect and manage nature on our own land, and we work alongside other committed landholders to help them identify, protect and manage nature on their properties. Through science, community and enduring commitment, we inspire and empower people to conserve nature in Tasmania; we do this for the benefit of current and future human generations and for nature itself. The TLC is largely supported by donations from the public – we are science-based, community focused and apolitical. The TLC has established 23 nature reserves covering around 1,600 hectares of the state, where habitat and species are monitored, managed and protected forever. Near Franklin, the TLC has its Egg Islands Reserve, in the Huon River. More recently, the TLC has established reserves at Tinderbox Hills, near Hobart, and on the Prosser River between Buckland and Orford. In addition, around 40,000 hectares of Tasmania is owned by landholders who work with the TLC to protect and promote nature on their land through programs like Land for Wildlife, the Midlands Conservation Fund and the Revolving Fund, a program where the TLC buys land, protects it with a covenant, and re-sells it to conservation-minded landholders. More information can be found on www.tasland.org.au or by reading the information signs on the foreshore near the Yukon Jetty, and for info specific to the Egg Island Reserve at https://tasland.org.au/reserves/egg-islands-reserve/ |
Rowing News
The Freyja figurehead takes shape in the covered verandah area. |
Building a replica of the 1803 Schooner 'Independence'
As Endra and Richard continue their mainland adventures, they have taken time to send us titbits of their boaty discoveries. It seems that down at The Wharf, Tangara Drive, American River, on Kangaroo Island, SA, a volunteer team is building a full-size, seagoing replica of the first sailing vessel ever constructed in South Australia. The original 1803 Schooner 'Independence' was constructed by American sealers as their ship the the 100-ton Union had poor maneuverability in the smaller bays. The smaller Independance allowed the sealers to continue their work. Records show that after performing a number of voyages including delivering sealskins to Sydney the Independance was lost in waters off the Antipodes Island Group, southeast of New Zealand in 1805. 82 year old Tony Klieve and an intrepid band of retirees are now nearing the finish of the replica build and some, 216 years later, the Independence is again taking shape on the shores of American River and the men involved have had to use as much craftsmanship and ingenuity as the crew of the Union to get it done. Its a great story, not just for the interesting history but also as a testament to the dreams and perseverance to realise that dream of building a replica. Much more details can be found at their website >>here<<.  |
Rowing News: Progress on Freya and more!
Progress on Freyja as a bittern figurehead evolves. There is also a request that people who take Swiftsure out remove the Thole pins after use. On February 20 2022 the Woodbridge Water Festival organisers have requested a come and try St Ayles Skiff component with a view to a future community build. Updates will follow.  |
We all love a project!
Indeed we do! What would our sheds and back yards be without such things! So here's a splendid opportunity passed through to us by Paul Fisher " regretfully up for sale is unfinished project professionally built be ship wright over 10 yrs Strip plank epoxy . Extremely well built to sail the world. Will come with 4 axle trailer. Lengths of Oregon for spars lead ballast Saab diesel Lots of bits call Paul on 0409015017 for more details " A picture of a sister ship is below and the state of the current work can be viewed >> here <<  |
Elandra
A couple of notable launchings of new boats from the Wooden Boat School at the weekend: JP's Elandra and a Percy. Pics from Endra O'May below.   |
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